Pryor man, 18, sentenced to life after pleading guilty to stabbing his aunt to death | News

PRYOR, Okla. — An 18-year-old Pryor youth, Kali Penn, pleaded guilty Friday afternoon to the March 2023 murder of his aunt.

According to Pryor Creek police, Penn told the judge he stabbed his aunt, Tashina Monique Johnson, more than 80 times.

Penn gave no reason or excuse for the stabbing and he was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.

Penn was also sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to charges he received in prison after police said he was combative with jailers and had three rods.

“This is one of the most brutal and horrific crimes I have seen in our district during my time as DA. Penn butchered it, there is no other way to put it. It was our responsibility to defend Tashina I hope this gives her family some peace and I hope now Tanisha can rest in peace,” said Mayes County Prosecutor Matt Ballard.

FOX23 spoke with Penn's family earlier this month after a use of force investigation was opened at the Mayes County Jail when Penn was shot with a rubber bullet by a gaoler.

His mother told FOX23 he asked to share a cell with an inmate. When he was told no, he stood up to the jailer who then felt threatened and shot him in the leg with non-lethal force, sending him to the hospital to be examined.

His family claims he is autistic and has other developmental disabilities. His mother claims that when he and his aunt argued, Penn acted in self-defense.