ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis man will spend the next two decades in prison after reaching a plea deal in the deadly shooting of his ex-girlfriend.
Brandon Terrell-Warren, 27, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Diamond Kennell on Sept. 24, 2022.
Terrell-Warren was set to got to trial this week on one count of first-degree murder and four other counts, but instead pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action to avoid a trial. Prosecutors agreed to drop three other charges as part of the deal.
According to St. Louis police, Kennell was found outside shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 24, 2022, near the intersection of Oregon Avenue and Itaska Street in south St. Louis. She was pronounced dead at the scene. She lived on Itaska Street.
According to the charged, Terrell-Warren confronted Kennell as she sat in a parked car with another man. Terrell-Warren punched the man, leading Kennell to fight Terrell-Warren.
Police said Kennell pulled out a gun, but Terrell-Warren took it from her and shot her with it.
"Kennell’s mother spoke in court Tuesday," a press release from the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court said, "telling Terell-Warren that her daughter loved him and that what he did was wrong."
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.
