The family of a Laurel County woman whose boyfriend was found guilty in connection with her death are not satisfied with the jury’s ruling this week, nor the amount of jail time he received.
Christopher Byrd was found guilty of reckless homicide in connection with the death of his former girlfriend 22-year-old Shannon Engle. The jury recommended a one-year sentence.
On Thursday, the judge agreed with the jury and sentenced Byrd to one year of jail time.
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Engle was killed from a gunshot wound to the head during a domestic dispute at a Laurel County home last year.
Byrd was originally charged with murder in the case, but at the end of a three-day trial, a jury found him guilty of reckless homicide.
Byrd’s attorney says the shooting was a complete accident.
“She was drunk and she was on marijuana and she tried to get the weapon from him and in her reaching hard for that weapon, which he was trying to protect, the gun went off,” said defense attorney Theodore Lavit.
Engle’s Mother says that during the trial, she was upset that Byrd’s past was not brought up.
Misty Rambo, Engle’s mother, told LEX 18 that Byrd had been arrested in February for holding Engle at gunpoint. Lavit said that information was not relevant.
“The charges that he had displayed a weapon and threatened her with it were bogus charges,” said Lavit. “The case was dismissed. Chris has no record.”
