"A jury today found filmmaker and newspaper editor Kevin Epps not guilty of murder, but did convict him of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of his former brother-in-law, Marcus Polk. As the court clerk read that Epps was found not guilty of first-degree murder, a burst of applause and gasps erupted through the room, in spite of the lengthy warnings from Judge Brian Ferrall to keep silent throughout the verdict reading."
"Voluntary manslaughter, which means the killing occurred in "sudden quarrel or heat of passion," can mean a sentence of three, six, or 11 years in prison. Epps was also found guilty of two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon, charges he did not dispute. The jury will now hear about "aggravating factors" like Epps' past criminal history that can affect his sentence."
"The courtroom was packed full on Monday morning with a queue down the hallway mostly composed of Epps' supporters, including his two young daughters for whom he is the primary caregiver. Epps, who has won awards for his documentary films uplifting the Black community of Bayview Hunters Point, faced up to life in prison for the murder charge, and has awaited his day in court for six years. He said the 2016 shooting occurred in self-defense, but in 2019, prosecutors charged him with murder."
A jury found Kevin Epps not guilty of first-degree murder but guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the 2016 shooting of his former brother-in-law, Marcus Polk. The jury also convicted Epps on two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon. Voluntary manslaughter carries potential sentences of three, six, or 11 years. Epps has maintained the shooting was in self-defense and had faced a murder charge since 2019. The courtroom reacted emotionally, with applause when the murder acquittal was read and several people crying after the manslaughter verdict. The jury will consider aggravating factors, including Epps' criminal history, before sentencing.
Read at Mission Local
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