MOUNT VERNON —Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville called Thursday an usual day in the local court.
“I cannot remember any time where two homicides were sentenced at the same time,” he said.
Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel sentenced Brice Hay and Terry Barker each to a minimum of 20 years in prison. Both are required to enroll in the violent offender registry.
Hay pleaded guilty to aggravated murder on Sept. 3 for fatally stabbing his father in December 2025.
Under a joint agreement recommended by the prosecution and defense, Wetzel sentenced Hay to the mandatory 20 years to life. Hay is eligible for parole after 20 years and was credited for 301 days served.
A second count of murder was dismissed.
Barker pleaded guilty on Aug. 13 to voluntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, in the 2022 shooting of Paul Williams at Ariel-Foundation Park.
He also pleaded guilty to four additional counts: a firearms specification and having weapons while under disability relating to the homicide charge, and cocaine possession and tampering with evidence relating to August 2023 charges.
Under a joint agreement, Barker will serve an aggregated term of 20 years.
Wetzel sentenced Barker to 10 years on the manslaughter charge, three years on the firearms specification, 30 months each for the weapons under disability and cocaine possession, and 24 months for tampering with evidence.
Barker will serve counts 2-4 consecutive to the manslaughter sentence.
A changing story
Hay was 17 years old when he stabbed his father in their Apple Valley home. He initially told police his father stabbed himself, but later admitted he did it.
In an emotional statement on Thursday, Hay said his actions stemmed from drug use and that he had been battling thoughts of suicide.
At home that afternoon, he had a knife in his bedroom. Hay said his father “rushed him” and tried to take away the knife.
“In a panic, I stabbed him,” Hay said. “I am deeply sorry for lying and more sorry for what I did. I feel horrible for what has occurred.
“Although we did not always get along, he was my father, and it wasn’t my place to take his life. I can’t express how much guilt I feel.”
Public defender Erika Young said the case was hard for everyone involved.
“Brice should have been getting ready to graduate from high school. Instead, he’s looking at a life sentence,” she said.
“The Brice last December isn’t who he will be this December. But he spun a tale about a lot of things that weren’t true.”
Young said that contrary to public comments, Hay did not suffer emotional or physical abuse from his parents.
“As he comes out of the fog of this last year, he is starting to understand the consequences of his actions. And if he chooses to, he can do a lot with his life moving forward,” she said.
Hay’s mother read a statement, saying she sees a fun, creative son, teammate, student and volunteer.
She acknowledged he must serve the time for his crime but encouraged him to evolve, learn and study, adding that the family will be there for him.
Young also read a statement from his grandmother.
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‘The harshest penalty available’
Barker was indicted in July 2023 for killing the 43-year-old Williams on May 2, 2022. According to the indictment, Barker shot Williams in the head with a .22 caliber semiautomatic pistol.
Mount Vernon Police Chief Robert Morgan said at the time that detectives from the Mount Vernon Police Department, BCI investigators, detectives from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and the Knox County Prosecutors Office put hundreds of man hours into the investigation in the 14-month interim.
On Thursday, Williams’ sisters, Pamela Franks Bey and Pauline Holley, asked Wetzel to sentence Barker to the harshest penalty available and to “have no mercy.”
Addressing Barker directly, both said Barker took away their brother and their nieces’ dad.
Public defender R. Lee Roberts Jr. said Barker is “remorseful that he left a family without a son, father, brother.”
Barker apologized to his family and nieces.
