UPDATE 9/16/11 @ 10:30 a.m.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A man is heading to prison for a murder in Huntington, but still doesn't admit that he pulled the trigger.
Thomas Redding, originally from Macon, Ga., was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday by Cabell County Circuit Judge Paul Farrell.
Last week, Redding entered a Kennedy Plea to 2nd Degree Murder for the shooting, meaning he accepts the sentence, but does not admit to the crime.
In the sentencing hearing Friday, Judge Farrell told the court that Redding and his attorney's sent him a taped interview Redding did, admitting that he was at the scene of the shooting in July 2009 and provided the gun that killed Billy Jordan, but did not pull the trigger.
Redding turned to the family of Jordan and said, "First of all, I want to say I apologize and I'm sorry to the family. I know you all have suffered these last 26 months, so have I. I feel like I lost a soul along with you all. My mom has suffered, you all have suffered. I am very, very sorry. My deepest thoughts and prayers go out to the Jordan family."
Redding asked for forgiveness from the Jordan family and from the court.
Redding has never admitted to the shooting, and claimed that innocence again Friday.
"I had no intention of going there and doing any type of crime," said Redding. "All I knew, your honor, was a drug deal was going down, that was it. I didn't play a part in this case at all."
Redding told the court he's been through a lot in his 22 years of living, "but killing a person would never cross my mind. In 22 years of living, I've done a lot, but killing a person or even robbing a person, it's not in my category or my vocabulary."
Redding was very apologetic on the stand, telling the judge and the Jordan family, nearly a dozen times that he was sorry.
"I'm very, very sorry, I am. I'm sorry for what happened to Billy Jordan. He was young, I'm young and it's a lot. Words can't describe how sympathy I really feel," said Redding. "Deep down I hurt. I hurt every night I lay down and see that night. I long for myself , even the victim's family. They're going through it a whole lot worse that I'm going through. They actually lost a soul."
"I put myself in this situation that I can't even explain. I apologize to myself, not alone to the victim's family and my family. My family has suffered right along with me," Redding continued.
This isn't the first time Redding has been in trouble with the law. He is currently serving a sentence of more than five years for federal drug charges. During the hearing, Redding said he was a "two-time loser" but was still young and trying.
To end his speech to the judge, family and court, Redding apologized for everything he has done since he moved from Georgia to West Virginia.
"I just want to say I'm sorry to this court, the chaos I've caused Cabell County throughout the years I've been here. I'm very sorry. I really am," said Redding.
During the hearing, Billy Jordan's mother, Mona, took the stand. She said her son's life was priceless, but to Redding, it was worth $3500.
"There is no amount of money worth the destruction the defendant has caused," Jordan said. "Unless you have experienced the loss of a child, there's no way that you can imagine what you must deal with every minute, every second of ever day, knowing that you will never see your child again. My heart will always be broken. Our family will always be broken without Billy."
Mona Jordan said her son Billy was very close with his father. She said they worked on cars together and ran an excavating business together.
But Jordan admitted her son wasn't a saint.
"Billy made several bad decisions but he was not a bad person. A car accident led to the addiction of pain pills. This was something Billy had decided to put behind him. He was within two days of entering a rehab center. Billy wanted his life back. He wanted so much to get better and get away from the things involved in the kind of life he was living. I believe whole-heartedly that he would have been successful had he been given a chance. He had his family's full support," said Jordan. "But the defendant's actions took away that chance. The defendant had no mercy on my precious son that day. He did not have to fire that fatal shot. He had already shot him in the leg and could have easily taken the money and ran, but instead, with no regard for a human being's life, he done the unimaginable and fired again, shooting Billy in the back as he was running for his life."
As Mona Jordan's emotional speech concluded, she ended with a statement.
"His family will be able to visit him at a prison. We have to visit our Billy at a cemetery."
Billy Jordan's father also spoke at the sentencing. He spoke about the importance of raising your children and that parents need to do a better job of being a positive influence.
"I can't hate this man. God will help me forgive and forget, but when he stands here and say he didn't know, he's 22, we're taught in this society as we're children 'No' is one of the first words that we hear," Billy's father said. "'You can't do that. You can't do that. You can't do that'. We all have to stand for our actions and be accountable. And my advice to him is seek counsel from the Lord because he is the true judge and the one that will judge in the end."
He also said that he hopes his son is the last case that the court sees with "someone's child murdered by someone out of town, from something that has no family, no reason to be here."
Judge Paul Farrell said that would not be the case because our area is plagued with drugs.
Farrell sentenced Redding to the maximum -- 40 years in prison. He told Redding that "society needs to know we are not going to tolerate" crimes like this.
Judge Farrell told Redding, "You brought drugs repeatedly here. You brought weapons here. You brought nothing but trouble here." He also told him that although Redding denies pulling the trigger, Judge Farrell believes he did, and did so in a "cowardly fashion."
Redding's sentence will run consecutively with his federal drug sentence he is currently serving. Judge Farrell said he would recommend that the parole board have Redding serve his entire 40 year sentence, without the possibility of parole.
After the sentence, Mona Jordan spoke with WSAZ.com about the sentencing.
"I'm happy with what Judge Farrell handed down to him. I hope that he has to spend the total 40 years and I hope that Judge Farrell's recommendation, that he will not get any parole for the 40 years. I hope that he has to serve every minute of it," said Jordan. "He did kill my son in cold-blooded murder you know, and I am happy with the way things went."
In a surprise court appearance at 4 p.m. Friday, Thomas Redding entered the Kennedy Plea.
Police say he shot and killed Billy Jordan in Huntington July 7, 2009.
According to the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia, a Kennedy Plea means the accused consents to their sentence, even if they're unwilling to admit they committed the crime.
Redding is currently serving 69 months in federal prison on drug charges.
Redding was scheduled to stand trial Sept. 27. He will now be sentenced at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16.
After several delays, Judge Paul Ferrell says Thomas Redding will now stand trial September 27 for the murder of Billy James Jordan.
Jordan was shot at the corner of 9th Avenue and 27th Street in Huntington in July 2009. Jordan was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Redding is currently serving a 69 month federal prison term after pleading guilty to federal drug charges in August 2010.
Keep clicking on this story for the latest information.
Kenneth “Kid” Pertillo, 27, of Macon, Georgia, was sentenced to 46 months in prison on a charge of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base. The sentencing took place Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Huntington.
Federal prosecutors say that in June 2009, Huntington Police arrested Pertillo and Thomas “30” Redding on a traffic violation in the 2200 block of Artisan Avenue. Officers say they found illegal drugs in the car. Then, during a strip search at the police station, Pertillo removed a bag containing more than five grams of cocaine base from his body. In his pockets officers found 1,507 in cash which included 51 $20 bills.
The long-term, multi-state investigation revealed that by working together in a relatively sophisticated drug distribution organization, members enjoyed increased profits from their illegal drug sales. Through their coordinated efforts of buying drugs in larger quantities for resale, the drug ring was able to widen their customer base and increase their market share in the Huntington area.
The investigation further revealed that group members recruited others from their hometown of Macon, Georgia to relocate to Huntington to sell drugs with the promise of higher profits.
Prosecutors say they manufactured powder cocaine into crack cocaine, trained new arrivals in local crack pricing and portioning, used counter-surveillance techniques to avoid detection by law enforcement, provided financial assistance to retain defense attorneys and post bond for incarcerated members, arranged for storage of drugs and firearms in the homes of local residents, paid local addicts with crack to rent cars for trips out-of-state to resupply the group with drugs, shared handguns for use while dealing drugs, and other actions which increased the effectiveness of the group.
In all, the drug ring members and their associates received sentences totaling 1,072 months or almost 90 years collectively. Pertillo’s co-defendants were previously sentenced for their roles: Charles “Goldie” Williams – 136 months in prison; Nekoase “Shadow/Fly” Vinson – 168 months in prison; and Thomaas “30” Redding – 69 months in prison; and Antonio “T.O.” Whitehead – 108 months.
Other conspiracy members and associates were previously convicted under separate indictments, including Maurice “Edith” Dugger – 85 months; SylVester “Twin” Dugger – 150 months; SylEster Dugger – 95 months; Jennifer “J-Lo” Ferrell – 33 months; Mark King – 108 months; Robin Bailey – 84 months; and Lisa Bailey – 36 months.
Antonio Whitehead, 23, of Macon, Georgia, was sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Huntington on Monday.
According to court documents, from February 2005 to at least June 2009, Whitehead participated in a drug conspiracy with Charles Anthony Williams, Nekoase Antwan Vinson, Thomas Antonio Redding, and Kenneth E. Pertillo.
During this time, Whitehead pooled his money with the others to re-supply the group with crack cocaine for distribution in the Huntington area. Whitehead also sold cocaine base and shared in profits from the drug conspiracy.
The U.S. Attorney’s Offices say that by working together in a relatively sophisticated drug distribution organization, the men enjoyed increased profits from their illegal drug sales. Through their coordinated efforts of buying drugs in larger quantities for resale, the drug ring was able to widen their customer base and increase their market share in the Huntington area.
The investigation further revealed that members manufactured powder cocaine into crack cocaine, trained new arrivals in local crack pricing and portioning, used counter-surveillance techniques to avoid detection by law enforcement, provided financial assistance to retain defense attorneys and post bond for incarcerated members, and other actions which increased the effectiveness of the group.
Williams has already been sentenced to 11 years in prison; Vinson to 14 years in prison; and Redding almost 6 years in prison.
Pertillo is scheduled to be sentenced in February.
According to court documents Whitehead has pending charges in Ohio related to a December 2008 arrest for possession of nearly 100 grams of crack, a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol he had hidden in his pants, and $1,168 in cash.
Prosecutors say he was traveling to Huntington with the drugs and gun at the time he was stopped by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Most of the conspiracy members hailed from Macon, Georgia and relocated to Huntington.
Thomas Redding will now stand trial on February 28, 2011 for the murder of Billy James Jordan.
The new date was set during a hearing before Judge John Cumming in Cabell County Circuit Court on Monday. The trial was originally supposed to start Monday.
Jordan was shot at the corner of 9th Avenue and 27th Street in Huntington in July 2009. Jordan was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Redding is currently serving a 69 month federal prison term after pleading guilty to federal drug charges in August.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.
Redding was not present in the courtroom, but his lawyer was there on his behalf.
Redding's attorney asked the Judge for more time in order to gather more information for the case, and that motion was granted.
Back in September, Redding was in Cabell County Circuit Court being arraigned on murder and 1st degree robbery charges.
Police say he shot and and killed Billy James Jordan.
Judge O'Hanlon set Redding's murder trial for December 13 at 8:30 a.m.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest on this case.
Thomas “30” Redding, 21, was sentenced to 69 months in a federal prison during hearing in U.S. District Court in Huntington.
In April, Redding admitting he conspired with other dealers to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base in and around the Huntington area.
A Federal investigation revealed that from 2006 through 2009, Redding and several others participated in a drug conspiracy responsible for distributing quantities of crack cocaine.
According to Court documents, during this time Redding sold cocaine base and shared in profits made by the conspiracy.
Back in September, Redding was in Cabell County Circuit Court being arraigned on murder and 1st degree robbery charges.
Police say he shot and and killed Billy James Jordan.
Jordan was shot at the corner of 9th Avenue and 27th Street in Huntington in July 2009. Jordan was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Redding has a status hearing on the murder and robbery charges later this month.
On Monday, Charles “Goldie” Williams, 35, of Macon, Georgia and Nekoase “Shadow/Fly” Vinson, 26, of Macon, Georgia were sentenced to 136 and 168 months in prison, respectively, during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Huntington.
Federal Prosecutors say that together, the pair recruited other dealers from Georgia, trained new arrivals concerning the illegal drug trade in Huntington, supplied co-conspirators with crack cocaine to sell, sold crack cocaine themselves and shared in profits made by co-conspirators.
Both men had a prior conviction for a felony drug offense in Georgia. Additionally, Vinson admitted to carrying one or more firearms during the conspiracy.
Police said the drug ring operated in Huntington’s west end.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, 34-year-old Charles "Goldie" Williams, 26-year-old Nekoase "Shadow/Fly" Vinson and 21-year-old Thomas "30" Redding all entered guilty pleas Friday for conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base in Huntington and surrounding areas.
A Federal investigation showed that from 2001 through 2009, Williams and Vinson led a drug conspiracy, employing five or more street-level drug dealers. The U.S. Attorney's Office also said the two personally cooked cocaine, supplied dealers and collected cash.
In addition, Williams and Vinson also recruited dealers from their hometown of Macon, Georgia with the promise of higher profits in Huntington. Redding joined their circle in 2006. The U.S. Attorney's office also says the men recruited local residents to hide their drugs, money, guns, scales and other items. The residents also rented cars for the men and sometimes made out of state trips to resupply the cocaine.
All three have been detained. Sentencing for Williams and Vinson are scheduled on July 19, Redding is scheduled for August 2. All three face up to 40 years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Huntington Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Huntington Police Department, West Virginia State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lawrence County Ohio Drug Task Force, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, Cabell County Sheriff's Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the proceedings.
Thomas Redding, Nekoase Vinson and Charles Williams were indicted by a federal grand jury last week.
Tuesday, the three appeared in U.S. District Court in Huntington for their arraignment.
Two other people were also indicted, but they are still on the run. Officers say Antonio Whitehead and Kenneth Pertillo are probably armed and should be considered dangerous.
Police say the crack ring was based out of Macon, Ga., but operated on Huntington’s west end for nearly 10 years.
At the time of the indictments, Redding was already in the Western Regional Jail on a murder charge.
Huntington Police say Redding shot and killed Billy Jordan at the corner of 9th Avenue and 27th Street back in July. Investigators say Redding went to the area to sell drugs to Jordan, but ended up shooting Jordan and stealing $3,500.
Police told WSAZ.com that while Redding was in jail, Vinson and Williams assumed control of the operation.
Back in March 2009, Huntington Police along with federal agents raided house in the 1800 block of west 5th Avenue and arrested Redding, Vinson and another man.
Police said inside the house they found $7,000 work of crack cocaine, four handguns, a shotgun and cash.
All of the people indicted are from Macon, Ga., and officers say off and on that the ring has been in business for nearly a decade.
Five people, including Thomas Antonio Redding -- who's already in jail on a murder charge -- were indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday afternoon.
In Redding's absence, police believe Nekoase Vinson and Charles Williams assumed control of the drug ring, which operated in West Huntington.
Two of the people indicted are still on the run. Officers say Antonio Whitehead and Kenneth Pertillo are probably armed and should be considered dangerous. State Police, the FBI and members of the Huntington Violent Crimes Drug Task Force worked the case.
Thomas Redding was arraigned in Cabell County Circuit Court.
On Friday, a grand jury indicted Redding on murder, 1st degree robbery and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance charges.
Jordan was shot at the corner of 9th Avenue and 27th Street in Huntington back in July. He was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Redding has been in the Western Regional Jail since July 9th after his bond was revoked on unrelated drug charges.
During Wednesday’s arraignment, Redding pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Bond was denied because of the murder charge. His trial is set for December 7.
Thomas Redding faces a charge of murder in the shooting death of Billy James Jordan earlier this month at the corner of 9th Avenue and 27th Street. Redding told WSAZ.com on his way in to court Friday that he did not kill Billy James Jordan.
At Redding's preliminary hearing, a witness for the prosecution testified that he was with Redding on the night of the alleged shooting. He says they were walking through the alley when a car pulled up. The driver was looking for some pills. The witness stayed behind when Redding went up the hill to talk to the white male who had been in the car and he heard a gun shot. He says he saw Redding standing there with a gun. The white male was on the ground at the time. Members of the Jordan family were in the courtroom.
Redding told WSAZ.com he is sorry for what happened to the Jordan family, but that he didn't know anything about it. Members of the Jordan family are in the courtroom today.
Sergeant Williams with the Huntington Police Department testified that when police arrived on the scene of the murder Billy Jordan was on the ground face down. He says Jordan was shot twice, once in the leg and once in the back.
Billy James Jordan was shot and killed at the corner of 9th Avenue and 27th Street back on July 7.
The criminal complaint states that Thomas Antonio Redding, 18, of Macon, Ga. is being charged with 1st degree murder and armed robbery in the case.
Witnesses told police they heard gunshots. They then called for help after seeing Jordan lying in the street.
Jordan was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital where he later died from his injuries. He was 20-years-old.
Redding has been in the Western Regional Jail since July 9th after his bond was revoked on unrelated drug charges.
Redding had a video arraignment on the murder and armed robbery charges Tuesday afternoon in Cabell County Magistrate Court. He is being held without bond on the murder charge.
In the criminal complaint, Huntington Police say that Redding went to the location where the shooting happened to "exchange money for the purchase of drugs." The investigation shows that Redding robbed Jordan of $3500 in cash.
Huntington Police say they have identified a second person involved in the case, but are not prepared to release any other information at this time.
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