FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — A Mount Hope man who shot and killed a man after seeing a Facebook post has been sentenced to life in prison with mercy.
Kayce Simms, 21, was sentenced Thursday after being convicted earlier this year on first-degree murder and gun charges.
Simms killed Ashtin Owens, 37, of Glen Jean, in November 2022 hours after Simms’ grandmother had posted on Facebook that Owens had disrespected her.
Fayette County Prosecutor Anthony Ciliberti said Simms’ grandmother was upset with her brother about the use of her vehicle. When she went to his home he wasn’t there and an argument began with Owens, who was her brother’s roommate. She posted on Facebook about the argument. Kayce Simms saw the post, Ciliberti said.
“He saw the Facebook post and called her (his grandmother) and found out from her what had happened and that prompted Mr. Simms get possession of a firearm and then later that evening went to Mr. Owens’ residence and confronted him and shot him,” Ciliberti said.
Ciliberti said it should have never ended in murder.
“There was no reason whatsoever that this had to happen,” he said. “There was no allegation that Mr. Owens did anything but argue with this man’s grandmother.”
Simms was sentenced to life in prison with mercy and he got the maximum 10 years in prison for using a firearm in the crime. The judge ordered the sentenced to be served consecutively. Ciliberti said Simms will have a chance for parole in 17 and a half years.
“The really sad aspect of this case is the motive underlying the murder,” Ciliberti said.