By Thomas Kinworthy Jr., 46, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2020 murder of St. Louis police officer Tamarris Bohannon. Judge Elizabeth Hogan handed down the sentence on Thursday, which includes two consecutive life terms for first-degree murder and first-degree assault, along with additional years for burglary and other charges.
The sentencing follows Kinworthy’s conviction earlier this month by a jury for the violent incident that occurred in August 2020. Officer Bohannon, 29, a three-and-a-half-year veteran of the St. Louis Police Department, was fatally shot in the head while responding to a call about an armed man who had forced a family from their home and barricaded himself inside. A second officer was shot in the leg during the incident.
During the sentencing hearing, members of Officer Bohannon’s family, including his parents, sister, wife, and children, delivered impact statements detailing the profound loss they have experienced. Elizabeth Bohannon, the officer’s mother, expressed her grief, stating, “He should still be here. He should be here to experience all that life had to offer him.”
Tiffany Bautista, Bohannon’s sister, recounted the difficult circumstances under which she learned of her brother’s shooting, having just given birth to her first child. She described having to plead with a hospital CEO to allow her to leave her newborn to see her critically injured brother.
Kinworthy, who maintained his innocence throughout the trial, spoke briefly during the sentencing. He disputed the case against him and stated that nothing could change the events surrounding Bohannon’s death or his sentence. At times, Kinworthy interrupted the prosecutor as she read through his criminal history during sentencing recommendations.
The defense attorney for Kinworthy argued that his client was experiencing a psychotic episode on the day of the shooting. The defense team indicated their intention to appeal the verdict and expressed hope for a retrial.
The sentencing of Kinworthy brings a measure of legal closure to a case that has deeply affected the St. Louis law enforcement community and the family of Officer Bohannon. The tragic loss of the young officer, who left behind a wife and three young children, underscores the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
As the community reflects on this case, it serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by police officers and the lasting impact of violent crimes on families and communities. The life sentence without parole for Kinworthy represents the justice system’s response to the gravity of the offense and its commitment to holding perpetrators of violence against law enforcement accountable.
