ST. LOUIS — The brother of an 18-year-old woman who was killed in 2020 was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday for fatally shooting the man he believed was responsible.
Jacorren Riley, 26, accepted a plea deal for a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Levi Henning. The plea averted a trial originally scheduled for next week. Riley was facing charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Riley's sister, Carieal Doss, was shot to death in April 2020; Henning was initially charged with her murder, but those charges were later dropped by former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner.
Doss’ mother was one of many victims who told 5 On Your Side she believed Gardner was an ineffective prosecutor and neglected her duties to prosecute the case.
According to court documents, Riley shot Henning in June 2023 as he was leaving his house in the 5600 block of Bartmer Avenue for a court date on an unrelated charge.
Surveillance cameras captured Riley chasing Henning while firing at him. When Henning fell to the ground, Riley "stood over him and executed him."
Circuit Judge Annette Llewellyn asked Riley in court Friday to explain his actions.
“He killed my sister,” Riley said, according to a release from the St. Louis Circuit Court. “I felt she needed to receive justice.”
When Llewellyn asked if it was worth going to prison, Riley said, "No, if I could take it all back, I would."
An assistant circuit attorney said in court that Henning's father held no animosity toward Riley, understanding that both families have suffered "great pain," the release said.
