WILSON, N.C. — A man has been sentenced to life in prison after he was charged with shooting and killing a 5-year-old boy in 2020 in North Carolina.
Darius Nathaniel Sessoms, 28, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in a Wilson County courtroom. Sessoms was charged with killing 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant in Aug. 2020, according to WRAL.
According to WRAL, Sessoms reportedly agreed to an Alford plea on Thursday. The Alford plea allowed Sessom to avoid the death penalty.
Prosecutors said that Sessoms shot Hinnant on Aug. 9, 2020, according to The Associated Press. Hinnant was playing in the front year of his father’s house with his sisters and aunt when he was shot in the head. Sessoms was arrested a day later.
The plan agreement also means that Hinnant’s sisters won’t have to testify, said his mother, Bonny Parker, according to The AP.
Sessoms first appeared in court back in May. According to WRAL, he was indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon charge in December 2021.
WRAL reported that a witness, Doris Lybrand, had reportedly seen Sessoms run up to Hinnant and put the gun near his head before running back to his own house.
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