Judge gives probation to defendant in Latasha Roundtree's fatal shooting

A 24-year-old involved in the 2012 fatal shooting of Latasha Roundtree apologized Friday in a soft, quivering voice, saying he was "very sorry for his actions" that night.

Adrian M. Kenney, who now lives in Arizona, pleaded guilty last year to perjury and accessory after the fact. He admitted to giving false information about the crime to police, disposing of evidence and helping others flee from the scene.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill sentenced him to five years in prison but suspended the sentence and gave him three years probation.

No victim impact statements were made. Kenney's mother and Reggie Williams, Roundtree's father, attended the hearing.

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said Kenney complied with the terms of the plea agreement by cooperating with police in the investigation and providing truthful testimony in the murder trial of Tajh Ross, 20, the man who shot Roundtree on Sept. 22, 2012.

Maybanks, along with pretrial services officials, recommended probation, saying that Kenney was the only one of the defendants in this case who expressed genuine remorse about what happened to Roundtree. Maybanks said he talked to Williams about this and Williams thought probation was sufficient punishment for Kenney's role.

"I hope he can complete probation successfully," Maybanks said.

John Hammond, Kenney's attorney, asked the court to impose probation. He said Kenney at the time of the incident was living in Cedar Rapids with his sister when his mother relocated to Arizona. He became friends with Yasin and Liban Muhidin, who lived near him, and Kenney spent a lot of time at their house and would even stay with them. He was easily influenced by others, but he was always the "observer." Kenney academically functions at a fifth grade level and has been on disability since he was 3-years-old.

Hammond said Kenney was with the Muhidins when they broke into a car in Marion and stole weapons, which were used in the shooting that night. He went with Yasin Muhidin that night when Yasin was told by Liban to bring the guns to the party. But Kenney wasn't involved with the guns or in the shooting that night.

"He was horrified about what happened to Miss Roundtree," Hammond said. "He was an excellent witness for the state. It was a difficult process for him but he testified honestly. He did spent eight months in jail (after being arrested)."

Hammond said Kenney's probation would be transferred to Arizona.

Thornhill said Kenney had done well since being on pretrial release and he hoped Kenney would continue to do well. Thornhill ordered fines for the two charges to be paid through community service by Kenney and he dismissed the three other original charges in accordance with the plea agreement.

Yasin, 18, and Liban Muhidin, 21, and Jeremiah Ellis, 20, all of Cedar Rapids, were sentenced last week. They all received prison time for their roles in Roundtree's death. 

A judge convicted Ross of first-degree murder and other charges earlier this month following a two week bench trial.

Yasin Muhidin said last week during his sentencing that Roundtree was his friend. He apologized to her family, saying "it wasn't supposed to go down like that." According to testimony at trial, Ross and the others had been threatened and they thought someone was going to harm them. They perceived the car Roundtree was in that night to be the threat. They saw it circle the block more than once and became suspicious, but Roundtree and her friends were no harm. They weren't familiar with the neighborhood and were just looking for correct address.

There is one defendant remaining in this case pending trial.

' Also read: Three in Latasha Roundtree's fatal shooting to serve prison time

' Also read: Tajh Ross found guilty of Roundtree murder