Kachelle Isbell, the woman who pled guilty to reckless homicide in the April 2021 shooting death of Anthony Johnson, was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday afternoon in Christian Circuit Court.
That came after a hearing where witnesses were able to speak on how the incident, and the death of Johnson, has greatly impacted their lives. His mother says her only son is gone forever, from her life and the lives of his children, and Isbell is to blame, no matter what she says.
Johnson’s sister says her nephew—Johnson’s son—has been severely impacted by his father’s death and often talks about going to see his father.
Officials argued that due to traumatic incidents in Isbell’s past that are unrelated to this case, she would benefit greatly from an alternative sentencing that put her on probation and would allow her to take part in therapy and other mental health programs. Isbell has been out on an ankle monitor during the course of the proceedings.
Ultimately, Judge Andrew Self ruled that to grant probation would be inappropriate, and sentenced Isbell to serve the recommended sentence that was agreed upon in the plea deal.
Isbell had originally pled guilty to manslaughter, but entered an amended plea to reckless homicide Monday. Isbell has contended that the shooting on College Street was accidental.