At a Covington house, prosecutors say, a man from Northern Kentucky testified in court on Monday that he had handled a handgun negligently and had accidentally shot and killed his girlfriend.
In Kenton County Circuit Court, Ryan Sherman, 55, entered a guilty plea to charges of manslaughter, tampering with evidence, and possession of a pistol by a convicted felon, as reported by Rob Sanders, the Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney.
The plea was entered precisely one year following the death of 51-year-old Laverne Wilson in February 2023. Sherman’s trial was scheduled for Tuesday, according to court documents.
According to a criminal complaint filed by investigators, Sherman was the only other person at the Wheeler Street home when Wilson was shot in the chest.
Sherman was interviewed by Covington police that day, according to the prosecution, and while he acknowledged moving the revolver from the floor to the bed, he denied shooting Wilson.
Although Sherman was eventually found in Dayton, Ohio, authorities were unable to find him for several weeks following that interview, during which he was not jailed.
According to prosecutors’ court pleadings, he ran away to avoid being taken into custody in relation to Wilson’s death.
Read More: Florida Lawmakers Push for Stricter Penalties for Juvenile Gun Possession
Sanders stated that Sherman was charged with manslaughter rather than murder because, according to all reports, the couple was getting along before the incident.
Sanders stated that Sherman did not appear to have any reason for purposefully shooting her. “If there had been, we would have filed charges related to homicide.”
However, Sherman’s 2008 record for narcotics possession prevented him from lawfully possessing a firearm. Sanders stated, “This catastrophe could have been completely avoided if he had obeyed the law.”
A message from The Enquirer seeking comment has not yet been answered by Sherman’s public defender. Sherman should receive a 10-year prison sentence, according to the prosecution. On April 30, he is expected back in court to face Judge Patricia Summe for sentencing.
