Jefferson City man given life sentence in corrections officer’s shooting death

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man who was 16 years old when he was charged in connection with the death of a corrections officer has been sentenced to life in prison.

Jahuan Whirley was convicted in March of second-degree murder, assault and other charges in the death of 33-year-old Justin Kammerich. Investigators say Whirley shot another man but he survived. Authorities say the shooting happened during a robbery in Jefferson City in December 2018.

Judge Jon Beetem sentenced Whirley on Friday to life in prison for the murder and assault convictions, following the jury's recommendation, and 15 years each on six other counts. The sentences will run concurrently.

Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson said he and the family were not satisfied with the sentence -- they would have liked to see Whirley have to serve some of his time consecutively, instead of serving the sentences together.

Whirley was a juvenile at the time of the shooting but was certified as an adult to stand trial in 2019. His defense lawyers asked for a lighter sentence because of his young age at the time of the crime.

Whirley denied having a role in the crime but police said they matched a gun found in his home with one found at the crime scene.