By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

A teen-ager has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after
pleading guilty in the shooting death of another St. Joseph teen.

Nineteen-year-old Jackson Lee Griffith of Country Club had
pleaded guilty to second-degree murder earlier for his part in the death of
15-year-old Carter Smith in June of last year. Authorities discovered Smith’s
body at 28th and Commercial Streets, near the REC Center.

Griffith is one of three suspects in the murder case.

Teontre Kirby, 18, has also pleaded guilty to second-degree
murder in the case. He is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday.

A third suspect, 17-year-old Kaden Wilfong of St. Joseph, was
sentenced to 30 years in prison in August after pleading guilty in the case.

A search of Wilfong’s home turned up bloody clothes and guns
related to the fatal shooting June 15, 2023. Officers also found Smith’s bag in Wilfong’s
residence.

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