LINDEN &045; During the sentencing hearing for cases in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama, Larrie Jenkins was sentenced to 23 years for the murder of Ronnie Kennedy.

Murder is considered a class A felony, so Jenkins faced a sentence ranging from 10 to life imprisonment for her actions. District Attorney Greg Griggers said the sentencing hearing for Jenkins lasted longer than most cases yesterday.

The group tried to elicit leniency in the sentencing for Jenkins’ sentence from the presiding judge, Eddie Hardaway, by speaking about her good nature. Griggers said the sentence handed down to Jenkins was on par with what is usually given for similar offenses by Hardaway.

On Feb. 28 a Marengo County jury found Jenkins guilty of shooting and killing Kennedy. The shooting occurred after an argument between the two on June 18, 2005, in which blows were exchanged. Jenkins claimed she acted in self-defense when she shot Kennedy.

The shooting occurred on County Road 55 in south Marengo County at the birthday party of Jenkins’ mother. Testimony concurred that the two got into an argument, started over a $5 bet, which lead to a scuffle and then the shooting.

Jenkins then said she shot Kennedy in defense of herself and her family. She said Kennedy came at her with a machete, making her fear for the safety of herself and others.

Jenkins’ testimony was debunked by the other testimony presented to the jury. Her brother testified Jenkins shot at Kennedy while he was running away from her, and she pursued him while firing.

Jurists also heard testimony from a pathologist about the case, who gave evidence on where Kennedy was shot by Jenkins.

The evidence presented suggested Kennedy was shot in the back as he was running away, rather than the front as he approached Jenkins as she testified.