ST. LOUIS — The man convicted of killing St. Louis Police Officer Tamarris Bohannon in August 2020 was sentenced Thursday afternoon.
A judge sentenced Thomas Kinworthy to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Kinworthy was convicted last month of all nine counts that he faced after his defense team failed to convince jurors to return a not guilty verdict by reason of mental defect.
The sentences for each count are to run consecutively and include: Life without the possibility of parole; 15 years in prison; life imprisonment; 15 years in prison; 10 years in prison; 15 years in prison; 30 years in prison; 15 years in prison; and seven years in prison.
On Aug. 30, 2020, police said Kinworthy broke into a home in the Tower Grove neighborhood, ordered the couple who lived there to leave and then shot two police officers who responded. Bohannon, a father of three, was shot in the head and died from his injuries days later. A second officer was shot in the leg as he tried to render aid to his fellow officer.
Prosecutors argued during last month's trial that Kinworthy knew what he was doing and tricked the defense's star witness, a forensic psychologist, into diagnosing him with a mental illness he doesn't have.
"He's not insane, he's cunning," Assistant Circuit Attorney Tanja Engelhardt said in closing arguments during the trial. "He's manipulative and he's hoping you're going to fall for it just like Dr. (Patricia) Zapf did."
Several of Bohannon's family members including his parents, wife and children testified in court. They spoke about their trauma and grief over the years.
A press release said Kinworthy addressed the court but did not accept responsibility for the crimes or offer an apology to the family.
“Years of meticulous work by our prosecution team achieved long-delayed justice for the families of Officers Bohannon and Bailey,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “The sentence of life without the possibility of parole and additional maximum sentences on all counts are appropriate punishment for these heinous crimes committed by such a violent, unrepentant individual.”
Maor Tishuara Jones released a statement following the sentencing of Kinworthy:
“I grieve with Officer Bohannon’s family, friends and colleagues. Officer Bohannon exemplifies the bravery that we see in our St. Louis police officers who risk their own safety for the sake of all of us. There is never true justice when a life is taken, but it is nevertheless a relief that our justice system has worked and that Thomas Kinworthy will never again walk freely on this Earth. While the trial and sentencing are now at an end, we will always remember and honor Officer Tamarris Bohannon.”