'I didn't do nothing wrong': Man convicted of Kason Guyton's murder continues to deny responsibility at sentencing
Nov 19, 2024
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- After being sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars for killing a 5-year-old boy, Jonathan Knight continued to deny responsibility.
"I just want to say I apologize for what happened, but I didn't do nothing wrong," Knight said at his sentencing hearing Tuesday.
Last month, Knight, 35, was convicted of murder, attempted murder and other charges in the shooting death of Kason Guyton in 2017.
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He received a total term of life without parole plus 25 years to life; 111 years to life; 126 years to life; 111 years to life; and 10 years.
Jonathan Knight looks toward defense attorney Timothy Hennessy as he's sentenced to life in prison.
Knight told the court he hopes to show "what really happened" as he appeals his conviction.
He made reference to Jeremy King, his former co-defendant, who accepted a plea deal and testified at Knight's trial. King is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday.
"Somebody going home tomorrow that pleaded to everything," Knight said.
King, who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for a six-year prison term, is expected to be released soon due to the amount of time he's already served.
Knight also was found guilty of several charges in connection with a shooting on Remington Avenue in 2019 in which no one was injured.
Jonathan Knight found guilty of murder in death of Kason Guyton
Prosecutor Eric Smith said Knight killed Kason -- and justice has been served. Before sentencing, he read a statement to the court that described the impact Kason's death had on his family.
Kason Guyton
"Kason Guyton was a child full of promise, full of life, beloved by all those who knew him and had come in contact with him," Smith said. "His death has brought unspeakable anguish to his parents, to his brother and to his entire family."
He continued, "Jonathan Knight's acts defy common logic and reason. However, his callous disregard for others led to him becoming a child killer in this case."
Knight opened his mouth as if to speak at that point, but remained silent.
Prosecutor Eric Smith answered questions outside the courthouse following the sentencing of Jonathan Knight.
At trial, Smith argued Knight targeted a rival gang member on Feb. 23, 2017, and unintentionally hit Kason and Kason’s then 7-year-old brother in a car-to-car shooting at California Avenue and S Street.
King, 32, testified he drove the car and Knight fired from the front passenger seat.
Smith said the shooting stemmed from an argument earlier that day at Valley Plaza mall between Knight and King -- who were members of the West Side Crips street gang -- and members of the rival East Side Crips.
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The prosecutor said Knight and King drove around that evening looking for an East Side Crip to shoot in retaliation.
Knight spotted Vercher -- at the time an East Side Crip -- and they followed his vehicle, Knight firing as Vercher turned west onto California Avenue, according to Smith and testimony. Kason and his brother were in the back. Both were hit.
Kason was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His brother survived.