An Independence man is sentenced to more than 44 years in prison in the murder of two people in 2020.

 

24-year-old James Gofourth was sentenced last week in the killing of 27-year-old Tyler Cook and 24-year-old Rodricus Dawson. Gofourth entered a no contest in April to two counts of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery. The plea allowed Gofourth to accept the punishment for the crime without admitting guilt.

 

Gofourth was 18 years old when prosecutors say he shot and killed the two men. Both were found deceased in a vehicle after it crashed into an apartment building on North Penn Avenue on October 16 2020. A third person was injured in the incident.

 

Gofourth is already serving time for other crimes committed in Labette and Elk counties. This sentence will begin once he has completed his time on those charges.