Family seeks answers after sentencing no-show | News

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- UPDATE: N'Guana Humphrey was taken into custody on Thursday morning.  He will be held until his new sentencing date.

Original Story: A local family is frustrated after a man who pleaded guilty to murdering their loved one left the courthouse before his sentencing hearing.  The judge issued a warrant for N'guana Humphrey.

He was out on bond after he pleaded guilty to killing Brandon Weston.  The co-defendant in the case did show up for the hearing.  The co-defendant in the case, Nguana Ringstaff, did show up for the hearing.

Prosecutors said Ringstaff and Humphrey tried to rob Weston.  A gun went off during the struggle, killing Weston.  Humphrey was wounded in the wrist.  Both men pleaded guilty to felony murder. While Ringstaff appeared in court for sentencing, Humphrey did not, although he did show up at the courthouse.

"There's some dispute as to whether he got sick or ill," said John Kachelman, Deputy District Attorney for Montgomery County.  "I believe a deputy testified before Judge Reese that he had thrown up outside so there was some dispute as to what happened and why he left."

Kachelman said Humphrey was allowed to be out on bail, because there wasn't a concern he wasn't going to show up for the hearing.  For Weston's family, Tuesday's sentencing hearing was supposed to be a chance to finally begin the healing process.

"It's been a long 19 months, and yesterday was supposed to be closure for our family," said Sandy Rouch, an aunt.  "It wasn't closure, it now prolongs it.  And at some point we need to heal."

Kachelman said the DA's office will likely give Humphrey a chance to turn himself in and set a new sentencing date, before taking the step of arresting him.

We spoke briefly with Humphrey's attorney, Trina Williams. She declined to comment except to say her client wasn't sentenced Tuesday.

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