Fayette County man sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder

FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (WVNS) — A Fayette County man has been sentenced to life in prison with a recommendation for clemency for a 2022 first-degree murder.

Kayce R. Simms, 21, of Mount Hope, was sentenced on May 30, 2024, to life in prison with recommendation for clemency for the crime of first degree murder and ten years in prison for the crime. use or presentation of a firearm in the commission of a crime.

Simms' sentences will be served consecutively and he must serve at least 17 years and six months in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Law enforcement personnel responded to reports of a shooting in the Glen Jean area of ​​Fayette County on November 21, 2022. After arriving on scene, police discovered that Ashtin Owens, 37, suffered from two gunshot wounds. Owens later died from his injuries after being airlifted to a trauma center in Charleston, West Virginia.

An investigation revealed that earlier in the day, Owens had argued with Simms' grandmother. Simms then obtained a gun from an acquaintance and showed up at Owens' house where he argued with Owens about disrespecting his grandmother.

Simms shot Owens twice with his gun after an argument before fleeing the area. When Owens was shot, there were three witnesses in the house, two of whom were able to confirm that Simms was the shooter.

Simms had been in prison since his arrest on December 2, 2022, and evidence revealed during the sentencing hearing showed that Simms received a large amount of criticism during his incarceration. Some of the reports included threats against correctional employees, assault and battery against correctional employees and possession of a weapon.