Caleb Kennedy, who appeared on Season 19 of “American Idol,” has been sentenced after pleading responsible to driving below the affect, Us Weekly reported on Friday.
Kennedy, 20, was arrested and charged with a felony DUI in South Carolina in February 2022 after a automotive crash led to the dying of a 54-year-old man. Kennedy was 17 when his Ford pickup truck traveled 175 yards off the street and struck a storage during which Larry Duane Parris was working in Spartanburg, S.C.
Parris was reportedly pronounced lifeless on the hospital three hours after the 12:30 p.m. crash.
On Monday, Kennedy pleaded responsible throughout his listening to, in line with a neighborhood Spartanburg, South Carolina CBS affiliate WSPA. The outlet reported that Kennedy was sentenced to 25 years in jail and a $25,100 advantageous, which has been lowered to eight years and a $15,000 payment.
Kennedy will serve three years of his sentence by way of residence detention. He’ll then be on probation for 5 years after his launch.
The singer may even be required to bear psychological well being and substance abuse counseling. A consultant for the seventh Circuit Solicitor’s workplace in Spartanburg confirmed {that a} plea deal was made earlier than the case went to trial.
“This case shows the dangers of vape pens to society,” Solicitor Barry J. Barnette, who prosecuted Kennedy, stated in an announcement.
FOX Carolina reported that Kennedy’s protection stated his dose of Prozac had been elevated shortly earlier than the crash. The Greenville Information additionally reported that he was driving below the affect of marijuana after utilizing a vape pen, citing warrants. The warrants reportedly stated the truth TV alum was on his technique to his girlfriend’s home on the time of the accident, and that Parris was speaking on a cellphone.
“A very good person died, and I feel so bad for the Parris family. Caleb’s very remorseful and his heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Parris family. This sentencing starts the healing process for everybody involved in this situation,” Kennedy’s legal professional Ryan Beasley stated in an announcement to The Greenville Information.
In a second assertion to FOX Carolina, Beasley stated that Kennedy “wants to express his heartfelt sympathies to the Parris family,” and that he “accepts his responsibility for this accident and hopes for healing for everyone affected by this tragedy.”
“He’s got no record, and he was a minor when this happened. This wasn’t such an egregious act that you see most of the time, where people were drinking and driving then they hit somebody at night or going the wrong way down the road. This was a weird reaction from his prescription medicine and possibly THC.”
Parris was the founding father of the Parris Development Firm, in line with his obituary.
Weeks after the crash, Parris’ spouse Donna and daughter Kelsi gave an emotional plea throughout a digital courtroom listening to for Kennedy, asking the decide to disclaim his bond.
“I see my daddy laying in his own shop, moaning and groaning, with a stranger not even calling 911,” Kelsi stated, per The State. “He killed my dad, point-blank. I wish I could pay a little bit of money or a lot of money to have my daddy back.”
Throughout Season 19 of the competitors present, Kennedy needed to depart early, regardless of making the ultimate 5, after an allegedly racist video from his previous surfaced on-line.
Within the video, he was seen with a pal who was carrying a hood much like those worn by the Ku Klux Klan.
“Hey y’all, this is gonna be a bit of a surprise but I am no longer gonna be on ‘American Idol,’” he wrote on Instagram in Might 2021. “There was a video that surfaced on the internet and it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way. I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse. I wanna say sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down.”
Kennedy continued, “I know this has hurt and disappointed a lot of people and made people lose respect for me. I’m so sorry! I pray that I can one day regain your trust in who I am and have your respect!”
The judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, shared their very own statements about his departure.
“Well losing great talent is always [hard] … this is our class. This is the class of 2021. So, you know, it was an unfortunate situation,” Richie, 75, instructed Leisure Tonight that very same month. “We had to ride with what’s happening with ABC, and you know that’s where we play. So you know we wish him all the best, but that was just one of those unfortunate things that happen along the way of life.”
Bryan, 48, reiterated his coworkers sentiments, telling the outlet that your complete panel loves “these kids.”
“We love every aspect of their growth and all of this, but it’s certainly devastating news when we hear about this,” Bryan added. “But like we said, our thoughts will be with him as he grows as an artist.”
