'He's smiling': Convicted killer who annihilated 5 members of a family during high-speed chase smirks during sentencing

A Missouri antheral volition walk implicit 2 decades down bars for a grisly clang that killed respective members of the aforesaid family.

In January, Marshawn Stepney, 21, pleaded blameworthy to 5 counts of murder successful the 2nd degree, 2 counts of assault, and 1 number each of tampering and leaving the country of an accident.

On Tuesday, St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Clinton Wright sentenced the suspect to 25 years successful prison, nether the presumption of a plea deal. The punishment comes successful effect to the suspect sidesplitting 34-year-old Lahronda Simmons, 44-year-old Luther Simmons, 47-year-old Ephriam Simmons, 52-year-old Anngelique Simmons, and 11-year-old Takira Thompson successful a car clang during a high-speed chase.

The underlying incidental occurred connected May 6, 2022, erstwhile the suspect was driving a stolen grey 2015 Jeep Cherokee linked to aggregate thefts passim the St. Louis area, according to charging documents obtained by St. Louis-based CBS affiliate KMOV.

Around the intersection of Delmar Boulevard and Union Boulevard, Stepney began driving poorly and sideswiped a grey Infiniti. A rider successful the Jeep fired shots astatine the Infiniti portion the suspect sped distant from the area. The operator of the Infiniti past dialed 911.

Law enforcement yet caught up to Stepney. Police utilized spike strips to effort to dilatory the Jeep down, but the suspect kept driving — reaching speeds upwards of 80 mph successful the mediate of the metropolis — earlier yet crashing into the Simmons family's minivan adjacent the intersection of Delmar and Pendleton Avenue.

In summation to the 5 household members dying, an 8-year-old miss and a 16-year-old miss were injured and rushed to a adjacent hospital.

Amid the confusion, Stepney was capable to permission the country of the crime. The suspect past returned to the country respective hours later, contacted a nonmigratory who lived nearby, and called his parent to travel prime him up. He was yet arrested 12 days aft the fatal crash.

Emotions ran precocious during the defendant's sentencing hearing. When a comparative of the slain household came up to code the court, Stepney reportedly turned astir and smirked.

"He's smiling," grandma Elinor Simmons told St. Louis-based Fox affiliate KTVI, describing the interaction. "No remorse for what helium had taken from us! He took a batch from us."

During the sentencing hearing, the justice reportedly addressed the grandma directly, praised her strength, and said nary condemnation would beryllium capable nether the circumstances.

"I appreciated that," Simmons told the TV station. "My spot come[s] from God. I archer you, if God was not successful my life, successful my heart, I wouldn't possibly beryllium lasting present contiguous to speech to you."

Law enforcement besides charged 2 different men successful narration to the incident.

Jaylen Holland, 20, stands accused of 5 counts of second-degree murder, equipped transgression enactment and six counts of felony stealing. He is alleged to person been recovered successful the backmost of the Jeep with a pistol nearby.

Walter Burton, 20, is besides charged with 5 counts of second-degree execution and respective theft-related crimes. He is alleged to person been recovered successful the rider broadside of the Jeep with an assault-style firearm betwixt his legs.