Little Rock man found guilty in 6-year-old’s death

A jury has sentenced a Little Rock man to life in prison without parole plus 15 years in the shooting rampage that killed a 6-year-old girl watching cartoons in bed last year.

The Pulaski County jury needed only an hour Friday to deliberate before convicting Kevin Lawrence Banks, 18, in the death of Kamya Weathersby. Banks faced a capital murder charge — meaning he could have received the death penalty for the slaying.

Both Banks and his lawyer told reporters Friday they planned to appeal the sentence. Kamya’s family celebrated the sentencing, telling reporters justice was served.

Also facing a capital murder charge in Kamya’s death are Ricky Dale Smith, 20; and Marqus Tyrell Smith, 21. Ricky Dale Smith’s trial has been reset for Nov. 24, and Marqus Tyrell Smith is scheduled for trial Jan. 12.

Kamya was struck seven times in the Dec. 29 shooting, including a wound to the head that proved fatal. Kamya’s younger sister, Jasirae Vick, who was sleeping at the time, was grazed by a bullet.

Police have said the killing was the result of a dispute over an earlier slaying. Investigators have said that witnesses have not been willing to testify.

In a previous hearing, Chief Deputy Prosecutor John Johnson has said the mother’s boyfriend, Antoine Jones, accused Banks of killing Jones’ friend, Brent Pettus, 25, who was shot dead nine days prior to Kamya’s slaying. Johnson said the Dec. 29 attack was an attempt to kill Jones, adding that Jones shared business interests with the defendants. Johnson didn’t describe the enterprise.

Banks also is charged with first-degree murder in Pettus’ killing. That trial is scheduled for November. Also, a witness in that case, Thomas Steven Okafur, 21, was found shot to death Feb. 29 in a city park. No one has been charged.

For more information see Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.