Marquis Goodman: Detroit man sentenced to 80 years for double murder of West Virginia women

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

DETROIT: Marquis Jermayne Goodman, a 24-year-old man from Detroit, received a sentence of 80 years in prison for the double murder of two women in West Virginia.

Goodman pleaded guilty in February to two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the fatal shootings of Bria Nicole White, 26, and Kytiana Belcher, 22, in Charleston, West Virginia, in 2021.

A dual tragedy unfolds

The tragic incident unfolded against the backdrop of another grim event, as authorities in the same region believed a 30-year-old woman fatally shot two boys aged 5 and 8 before taking her own life.

Initial investigations suggested the woman committed the act on a Saturday, and when authorities arrived at the scene, they discovered the bodies of the woman and the older boy, both bearing gunshot wounds. Despite efforts, the 5-year-old succumbed to injuries shortly after authorities arrived, reported Fox.

Heartbroken victim's mother confronts defendant during sentencing

During Goodman's sentencing, his attorneys advocated for a more lenient punishment, citing his young age as a factor that could potentially lead to rehabilitation. The suspect expressed remorse and apologized to the families of the victims, asserting that he never intended to harm the women. However, a motive for the shootings remained elusive.

White’s mother, Letitia Norman, sobbed as she spoke to Goodman, saying any argument between him and her daughter “didn’t have to go this far,” reported Fox.

Judge hands down a maximum sentence

Contrastingly, the families of the victims advocated for the maximum penalty. Norman, the heartbroken mother, tearfully addressed Goodman, lamenting the irreparable loss and devastation caused by his actions. She expressed the profound impact on her life, stating, "My life is ruined."

"When I see my baby, I have to stand over her on the ground," Norman said. Judge Ken Ballard, considering Goodman's extensive criminal record and missed opportunities to reform "and clearly they did not work." The Judge delivered the maximum sentence of 40 years for each count of second-degree murder, to be served consecutively.