Trial expected to begin soon in killing of Kason Guyton

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Attorneys on Wednesday said they’re ready for trial next week in the case of two men charged with murder in the 2017 car-to-car shooting death of a 5-year-old boy.

A courtroom is expected to be assigned Tuesday for the trial of Jeremy King and Jonathan Knight, who face life terms in prison if convicted in the death of Kason Guyton. It’s unclear when opening statements will be presented.

On Feb. 23, 2017, Kason and his brother were heading home from Maya Cinemas in a car driven by their mother’s boyfriend as a dark sedan followed.

As the car the boys were in turned west onto California Avenue from S Street, a passenger in the sedan leaned out the front window and opened fire, police said. Kason was killed, and his then-7-year-old brother wounded.

Police said the boyfriend, Dayvon Vercher, is believed to have been the intended target. He’s a member of the East Side Crips gang.

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