Three men were sentenced to life in prison on Friday, Feb. 9, over the revenge drive-by slaying of a 7-year-old girl in Memphis, Tennessee.
Authorities said 24-year-old Jordan Clayton, 22-year-old Branden Brookins, and 25-year-old Carlos Stokes shot young Kristan Williams as she was playing in the front yard, according to the Shelby County district attorney’s office.
All individuals received a life sentence, plus more than 40 years.
Life sentences for 3 in 'revenge' killing of 7-year-old girl https://t.co/f8CfSKQsgR
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 10, 2018
They were convicted of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.
Stokes had a further 54 years added to his life sentence after Criminal Court Judge James Lammey Jr. called him the leader in the 2015 murder at the 2600 block of Durby Circle, the Shelby County district attorney’s office said.
Prosecutors said the address was “specifically targeted” by the killers in retaliation for an earlier shooting.
Witnesses at the time heard Stokes saying before the shooting “I want a body for a body,” according to the Shelby County district attorney’s office.
An earlier shooting on the same day took the life of Stokes’s sister, 15-year-old Cateria. Prosecutors said Stokes wanted revenge for his sister’s death, the Commercial Appeal reported.
The shooting was linked to an ongoing dispute over a drug deal gone wrong in 2014.
“They were hunting this girl, basically,” Judge Lammey said about the three men’s actions, according to the newspaper.
The murder of Stokes’ sister still remains unsolved, Fox News reported.
SENTENCING: Three men convicted last month in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl in South Memphis were sentenced Friday to life in prison plus more than 40 years. https://t.co/BbQhfmaTkc pic.twitter.com/8pXbYBxufJ
— Local 24 News (@LocalMemphis) February 9, 2018
Both slayings, which took place just hours apart, drew public outcry in Memphis, according to the Commercial Appeal.
A fourth man, identified as Carl Johnson, also faces charges in relation to the case.
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