Kason Guyton Trial: Jeremy King testifies against co-defendant Jonathan Knight

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Jonathan Knight broke a rule of the streets when he leaned out a car window and fired shots that wounded two children, one fatally, traveling in another vehicle, co-defendant Jeremy King testified Thursday.

King said car-to-car shootings are forbidden because of the risk of unintended victims. He called them a “no-no” and said, “It had to be somebody worth it,” when asked what he was thinking when Knight fired.

He testified he drove but didn’t realize King would fire.

17 News is live blogging Thursday’s proceedings.

Five-year-old Kason Guyton was killed and his brother, then 7, were wounded in the Feb. 23, 2017, shooting at S Street and California Avenue. The brothers were passengers in a car driven by a rival gang member.

Kason’s brother also took the stand Thursday, testifying to what he remembered the night of his brother’s death.

King admitted he and Knight were hunting rival gang members that evening because of an altercation that occurred hours earlier at Valley Plaza mall. Knight felt “punked” by those involved in the altercation, King said.

Last month, King pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and agreed to testify at Knight’s trial. He’ll receive six years’ time served. A tentative sentencing date has been set in October.

Knight faces a life term in prison if convicted as charged. His trial started last week.

Brian testified he and Kason were in the back seat as their mother’s boyfriend, Dayvon Vercher, drove them from their apartment on S Street to pick her up at Cal State Bakersfield.

The car they were in took a right from southbound S Street onto westbound California Avenue. Surveillance footage shows another vehicle rapidly approach, then slow at the intersection as flashes of light come from the front passenger window. That car then continues traveling south.

Brian Guyton testified he heard loud noises as the bullets hit the car. He looked at the rear window and saw bullet holes.

Kason was struggling to breathe, Brian said. He testified he soon realized he’d been shot too — he felt his leg and it was wet.

They arrived at a hospital and Vercher grabbed Kason and rushed him inside. One of Kason’s shoes fell off, Brian said. He said he picked it up and walked into the lobby under his own strength despite the injury to his leg.

Someone at the front desk noticed he was wounded, Brian said. He was placed on a gurney and taken to a room for treatment.

He testified he found out a day or two later his brother had died.

Before the first witness was called, Brehmer denied a request from King’s attorney, Andrew Flier of Encino-based Levine, Flier and Flier, to close the courtroom to the public during his client’s testimony. Flier said he was concerned for King’s safety.

The judge said extra safety measures were in place and the courtroom would remain open.

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