A Keytesville resident entered a guilty plea on May 10 for two felonies connected to a shooting incident in Keytesville in January 2023, resulting in a fatality. According to court records, James Michael Johnson Sr., 51, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault or attempt and possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to serve 15 years for the assault charge and five years for possession, with the sentences to be served consecutively.

Initially facing multiple charges including second-degree murder, Johnson’s charges were amended recently. Sherri Laws, 53, also from Keytesville, previously pleaded guilty in December and was sentenced in February for her involvement in the same incident. She received a 15-year sentence for second-degree murder and five years for armed criminal action, to be served consecutively. Additionally, she was sentenced for other related charges.

The charges stem from an incident where 38-year-old Jacob Abney of Grandview was fatally shot. Johnson also sustained injuries and was hospitalized. The investigation commenced after Chariton County deputies responded to an altercation at a Keytesville residence.