Fight erupts outside courthouse after Bradenton man gets life in prison for killing girlfriend's son's father
Moments after a Bradenton man was sentenced to life for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend's son's father, a brawl broke out between his family and the victim's family at the courthouse, stopping traffic in downtown Bradenton.
On Wednesday, Kelly McPherson was found guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm in the Sept. 5, 2015, death of Keyvis McCollough.
McPherson received the maximum sentence of life in prison on Friday from Circuit Judge Charles Sniffen, including a minimum mandatory 25 years in prison.
Emotions between the victim's family and the family of his killer erupted after the hearing, and deputies had to escort each side out of the building separately. But the conflict didn't end there.
Moments later, a fight between the families broke out in the middle of the intersection of Sixth Avenue West and 11th Street West just across the street from the courthouse. Profanities and threats were exchanged as additional deputies ran from the courthouse to separate the brawl as halted drivers looked on.
The sentencing comes 2 1/2 years after McCollough was shot to death. At about 1 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2015, McCollough and his son's mother were having an argument over custody of their 1-year-old son when McPherson, who was dating the boy's mother, walked up behind McCollough and shot him twice. McCollough was rushed by paramedics to Blake Medical Center, where he died.
The victim's son and sister were standing about 20 feet away and witnessed the shooting. McCullough's sister was able to identify McPherson — known in the neighborhood as Kevin B. — as the shooter to the Manatee Homicide Investigative Unit. McPherson was arrested about two weeks later following a manhunt led by Bradenton Police.
"On behalf of all the law enforcement officers who worked on this investigation, we are pleased with the verdict and sentencing," lead detective James Curulla said. "We hope this provides comfort and peace to the family of the deceased, and justice for the deceased."
For the victim's mother, Karen Edwards, a verdict of life in prison was justice for the loss of her oldest son. Just as the brawl between the families erupted outside the courtroom, Edwards was expressing her gratitude for that verdict to the Bradenton Herald.
"I cannot thank God enough for what he has done for me," Edwards said.
Edwards motioned to her left as the the disputes between the families grew louder.
"All that that’s going on over there, I don't want that. I want them to know, that's not going to bring Keyvis back," Edwards said. "They ought to be happy and not argue and fight. All that's going on over there, I don't want no part of it. ... I'm thanking God right now, and I'm happy that I got justice for my grandson more than anything else."
Edwards quickly ran over to help defuse the fight that had spilled into the middle of the road, as deputies pulled people away from one another. The family matriarch stood firm on the southwest corner of Sixth Avenue West and 11th Street West and shouted, "Go, don't do this."
No charges resulted from the incident, according to the sheriff's office, since no assault took place. Several threats were made among the feuding families, however.
During the sentencing hearing, Edwards also testified briefly about how the loss has affected her, her family and the sons he left behind. The youngest often asks her, "Why did Kevin B. kill my daddy?" she testified.
"He saw it, your Honor," Edwards said. "It's hard for me to explain to him that he will never see his daddy again."
This story was originally published April 6, 2018 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Fight erupts outside courthouse after Bradenton man gets life in prison for killing girlfriend's son's father."