Man sentenced to 18 years in manslaughter case

By JOE PERRY
Item Senior Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

A 41-year-old Gable man was sentenced Wednesday morning to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the December 2006 shooting death of a 48-year-old Lynchburg man.

Laverne Ladson, formerly of 6210 Skinner Road, was arrested on Dec. 24, 2006, and charged with murder. The day before, Henry Kennedy, of 8125 Two Mile Road, was killed at the home of Ladson's girlfriend, Evelyn Kennedy, who also was Kennedy's estranged wife. Ladson has been incarcerated at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center since he was arrested and, by law, will get credit for time served.

Assistant Solicitor Jason Corbett spoke on behalf of Sumter County Sheriff's Office Investigator Dominic West and told Third Circuit Court Judge R. Ferrell Cothran Jr. that Ladson and Henry Kennedy had a verbal altercation the night of Dec. 23, 2006, at Evelyn Kennedy's home — near her estranged husband's home — that rose to a physical level. Ladson retrieved a .22-caliber Marlin rifle from the trunk of his car and fired a single shot at Henry Kennedy, hitting his heart and a lung, and causing him to bleed to death internally.

"Ain't too much I can say," Janie Kennedy, Henry Kennedy's mother, told Cothran. "Mr. Ladson — he was wrong for killing my son. Whatever time he gets is not going to bring my son back."

Cothran told Janie Kennedy that he was sorry for her loss. Corbett then asked Cothran to sentence Ladson to 20 to 25 years in prison, as he had the opportunity to avoid the situation. Corbett also noted Ladson's prior record, which includes two convictions for driving under the influence in 1994 and 1997, and a 1995 conviction for accessory after the fact for burglary.

Assistant Public Defender T.D. "Tod" Williams IV told Cothran that his client has a speech impediment and had asked Williams to speak for him. Williams said Ladson fully understands the severity of his actions. On the day of the shooting, Ladson left his job at Gold Kist — now owned by Pilgrim's Pride — and was bound for Evelyn Kennedy's home with Christmas presents, including a cell phone for Kennedy's then 15-year-old daughter.

"Mr. Ladson did not go to the house looking for a fight," Williams said.

Ladson, a slight man wearing dark prison scrubs over a white, long-sleeved T-shirt, nodded his head in agreement while Williams spoke.

Ladson enjoyed a meal prepared by Evelyn Kennedy and the two had relations, Williams said, noting his client is not a violent person and was an invited guest.

"This was not his intention at this time," Williams said, explaining that prior to the shooting, his client had gone nearly a decade without "any run-ins" with law enforcement.

Ladson's Marlin rifle held 17 rounds, Williams said, adding that his client's statement after being arrested indicated Ladson "could've unloaded it" on Kennedy, but did not. In extensive talks with Ladson before the guilty plea, Williams also said he had not seen evidence of malicious intent. During the 20 to 40 seconds it took Ladson to retrieve the rifle from his car, he should have turned and run down the road, he said.

"Obviously today, he wished he had done that," Williams said, adding that Ladson waited nearly a year for a bond hearing, and has had no instances of trouble during nearly three years at jail housed in an open pod. Williams then asked the judge to impose a 10 to 15-year sentence and asked for Cothran's mercy.

"I'm sorry for what I did," Ladson, a 1986 graduate of Mayewood High School, told Cothran in a soft voice.

Cothran told Ladson the unfortunate decision he made on Dec. 23, 2006, changed his life and the lives of the Kennedys forever. The judge then sentenced him to 18 years in prison.

"Good luck to you," Cothran told Ladson before he was led away by sheriff's deputies.

Ladson will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.