CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The court cases of two of the seven bounty hunters charged in connection with the homicide of a 24-year-old Clarksville man came to a conclusion Wednesday, Oct. 16 when the final defendant had his case dismissed.
Kenneth Schnepp is one of seven bounty hunters who were charged with the shooting death of 24-year-old Jalen Milan Johnson on April 23, 2017.
Johnson, 24, was fatally shot when the bounty hunters and bail bondsmen confronted him and his three friends in the parking lot of the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Whitfield Rd. The confrontation resulted in a seven-mile chase and shots being fired.
Five bounty hunters accused of the first-degree murder of Johnson and multiple other crimes -William Byles II, Antwon Keesee, Roger West Jr., Joshua Young, and Prentice William – were found not guilty of all charges following a jury trial in August.
Prior to the trial, Schnepp entered a guilty plea to three counts of aggravated assault. Wednesday, he was allowed to withdraw his guilty plea and based on the verdict of the jury, his case was dismissed.
Jonathan Schnepp, far right, leaves the courtroom with family, after having his case dismissed.
Dan Brollier, assistant district attorney, who prosecuted the case, said the agreement was reached because Schnepp did not have or deploy a weapon and had been cooperative throughout the case.
Kenneth Chiasson another defendant entered a memorandum of retirement prior to the trial.
Young, the only defendant found guilty of any crime, was convicted of reckless endangerment firing a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to 18 months probation on Monday, October 14.
The family of Jalen Johnson held a peace walk outside of the courthouse after the hearing.