Guffey sentenced to 19 years

News

Wednesday, 02 October 2024 13:51

The sentencing of James Keith Guffey was held this afternoon in Judge Brent Benson’s courtroom. Guffey was found guilty of manslaughter in the April 2021 shooting death of his wife, Rose Labelle Guffey. The two-day jury trial was held in August 2024.

Manslaughter is a Class B felony in Alabama, which can carry a sentence of up to $30,000 and between two and 20 years of imprisonment. If a firearm was involved, the imprisonment term cannot be less than 10 years.

During the sentencing hearing, Guffey was represented by his attorneys Gary Lackey, Jennifer Lackey and Justin Lackey. The State of Alabama was represented by Krystina Jackson.

Jackson began by reading a letter from the victim’s parents which read in part, “Rose was our miracle child.” The letter went on to ask for the maximum sentence allowable by law. Jackson then continued by stating that there is no way to find an adequate number to fill the loss of a mother and a daughter, a mother whose children will not remember her and what she did for them because they were two and four years of age when she passed. Jackson also asked for the maximum sentence allowable by law.

Attorney Gary Lackey stated that the jury found no intent and requested that Judge Benson take that into account.

Prior to sentencing Guffey stated to the Court, “It was an accident. I miss her every day.”

Judge Benson proceeded with sentencing. He stated that while he doesn’t know what happened in this matter, two children are without a mother.

Guffey was sentenced to serve 19 years in prison, pay a $3,000 fine and a crime victim’s fee of $2,000.