FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A 21-year-old Mount Hope man has been sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder.
According to Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti, Jr., on Thursday, May 30, 2024, Kayce R. Simms, age 21 of Mount Hope, was sentenced to life in prison by Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing.
The sentence came with a recommendation of mercy for the felony crime of first-degree murder and ten years for the felony crime use or presentment of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Judge Ewing further ordered that the sentences be served consecutively.
Simms must serve a minimum of seventeen (17) years and six (6) months before he will be eligible for parole.
Simms was arrested following an incident on November 21, 2022, when police responded to 98 Teng Lane in the Glen Jean area of Fayette County in relation to a shooting.
Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim, Ashtin Owens, age 37, had sustained two gunshot wounds.
Owens was transported via helicopter to a trauma center in Charleston but later succumbed to his wounds.
During the investigation, it was determined that earlier in the day Owens had been in an argument with the grandmother of Simms.
Simms obtained a firearm from an acquaintance and went to Owens’ residence to confront Owens for disrespecting his grandmother.
Upon arriving at Owens’ residence, Simms entered the residence to confront Owens and after a brief argument, Simms shot Owens two times with a firearm.
Simms then fled the scene.
Three witnesses were present in Owens’ home at the time of the shooting, and two of the witnesses were able to identify Simms as the shooter.
Simms has been incarcerated since his arrest on December 2, 2022.
During the sentencing hearing, evidence was presented to the Court that Simms had been subject to a considerable number of disciplinary write-ups while incarcerated which included violations involving the possession of a weapon, making threats to correction employees, and assault and battery on correction employees.
This crime was investigated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau.
The case was prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti, Jr. and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, R. Wes Toney.
