Ezekiel Kelly, 22, pleaded guilty to 28 criminal charges on Wednesday for a deadly crime spree in Memphis that left three people dead and terrified many others. Kelly was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus 221 years in prison.
The Rampage
The violent spree began in the early hours of September 7, 2022, when Kelly shot and killed Dewayne Tunstall at a friend’s home. After the first murder, Kelly went on to commit two additional murders, carjackings, and other violent crimes, all of which were partially livestreamed on Facebook for the world to see.
Emotional Apology in Court
During his sentencing, Kelly broke down in tears and asked the court and the victims’ families for forgiveness. He told the court, “There’s nothing I can say to bring nobody’s family back, but we all got to live with this.”
He expressed deep regret, saying, “I was in the darkest place of my life when this occurred,” and added, “I do apologize to the victims’ family. I hope one day you find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Victims and Survivors
In addition to Tunstall, Kelly was responsible for the deaths of Allison Parker, a mother of three and medical assistant, and Richard Clark, a retired corrections officer. Several people survived the rampage, including LaKesha McGlathen, Rodolfo Zepeda, and Randall Graham.
Plea Deal and Justice
As part of a plea deal, which spared Kelly from the death penalty, his victims’ families agreed to the settlement. The plea deal ensures Kelly will never be released from prison, bringing finality to the case and avoiding prolonged legal battles.
District Attorney Steve Mulroy emphasized that the agreement guarantees Kelly will never see freedom again, providing a sense of closure for the victims’ families.
The Crime’s Aftermath
Following the crime spree, Memphis police issued a “stay-in-place” order as they searched for Kelly. His crimes included a high-speed chase and the livestreaming of some of the events, which were quickly removed from Facebook by Meta.
Kelly was apprehended later that evening. His plea change to guilty brings an end to his trial, ensuring he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
