Monday’s trial provides learning experience
Published 1:48 pm Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Monday morning in the Dallas County Courthouse was an experience I’ll never forget.
I was covering the sentencing trial of a five-year-old murder case that occurred outside Selma High School.
Judge Don McMillan sentenced Larry Hunter to 30 years in prison for his involvement in the murder of Alexis Hunter on Dec. 21, 2013. Alexis Hunter and her friend were robbed of their cell phones. Hunter was shot in the head, according to Selma Police Department reports. John Jones, the alleged shooter, will have his sentencing trial in the future.
While I wasn’t surprised at the verdict, the parents’ emotions from both sides was an eye-opener for me. Both sides testified at the trial.
Alexis Hunter’s parents- Joanne Hunter-Walker and Howard Walker can’t get their daughter back. Demeris Walker will never see his sister again.
I have an older sister and younger brother and would be devastated if something like this happened to them.
My heart also went out to Larry Hunter’s parents. Nobody wants to watch their son get charged with felony murder and receive what’s virtually a life sentence in prison.
Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson and Hunter-Walker both had strong reactions after the verdict was announced.
“The Judge sent a message with this verdict,” Jackson said. “Larry Hunter and Jones were like vultures: they pounced on her.”
“Both sides lose,” Hunter-Walker said. “Our daughter will never come back and they lose their son to prison.’’
Larry Hunter and Jones were 18-years-old and 16-years-old at the time of the tragic shooting. At that age, they should be preparing for the future, not getting ready for a prison sentence.
To make matters worse, Alexis Hunter was 18 and had a bright future in front of her. She lost her life over a senseless act of violence.
Hunter-Walker and her family will have to go through one more sentencing hearing. Once that sentencing is complete, they can finally close the book with a sad ending.