Warren woman sentenced
Kenyanna Pennock gets 15 years to life in murder case
Trending
WARREN -- Three rows of family and friends -- some holding photos and others wearing clothing with an image of 36-year-old Jesare'e Harris -- sat in the courtroom Tuesday to see the Warren woman convicted of her murder be sentenced to 15 years to life.
Kenyanna Pennock, 37, of Warren was found guilty last month after a three-day trial in the Trumbull County Common Pleas Courtroom of Judge Andrew D. Logan on charges of murder, felonious assault and reckless homicide.
On Tuesday, Logan sentenced Pennock, telling her she had the life of another person in her hands, but "failed to act appropriately, and alternatively, acted criminally."
Pennock must serve 15 years before she is eligible for parole.
Jesare'e's mother, Sonja Harris, spoke to Pennock while wearing a pink hooded sweatshirt with a picture of her daughter on it. She was escorted to the podium by two of her sisters, both of whom are aunts of the victim. One of the women was carrying a framed photo of Jesare'e.
Sonja Harris said, "Kenyanna, you have managed to devastate the life of Jesare'e's family all in one senseless night and a choice you made. You've taken the life of Jesare'e. Jesare'e is a memory in our life now."
Harris wrote in her victim impact statement about the effect the night of Nov. 6, 2022, has had on Jesare'e's daughter, Terriney Divine Williams.
Harris said, "I can hear my granddaughter crying softly in her room. Jesare'e's daughter and family are not able to talk, see, hear or touch Jesare'e again."
During the hearing, Pennock spoke out against her attorney, David Engler, telling Logan she barely had an opportunity to meet with her legal counsel throughout the duration of her time in court.
Engler denied the allegation during the hearing and in a statement he later said, "I need to show mercy to my client. She must feel hopeless and some jailhouse lawyer told her saying something bad about her attorney would give her a get out of jail card. My team and I met with her at least seven times for hours. This was a terrible tragedy that never needed to happen."
Pennock said that she plans to file an appeal in her case.
Jesare'e died from her injuries sustained on Nov. 6 2022, outside Parkplace 24 Tavern, 2185 Parkman Road, Warren.
As Jesare'e attempted to flag down a friend near the parking lot of the Tavern, Pennock intentionally drove into Harris.
Testimony from Warren police detective Eric Laprocina showed that Pennock traveled with Harris on the hood of the defendant's Dodge Dart for a half mile for at least 34 seconds at a speed of about 50 mph.
Dr. Alison Krywanczyk, a medical examiner from Cuyahoga County, testified and confirmed that results from the autopsy showed Jesare'e died from blunt force trauma consistent with being thrown from a vehicle traveling at a high speed.
During sentencing, Logan said the high speed showed a high disregard for the safety of the victim.