Turk
SHREVEPORT — A Minden man will get no relief from his 38-year sentence for a 2014 murder after an appellate court denied his claim that the sentence was excessive.
The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal upheld the sentence Wednesday of J’son Turk, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
“Even with J’son’s lack of a criminal history and young age, when the crime and punishment are viewed in light of the harm done to society, the imposed sentence, with the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence, does not shock the conscious or sense of justice,” states the opinion released Wednesday.
Turk was charged with second-degree murder after the decomposing body of Omar Lott was discovered in a wooded area off Walter Lyons Road Aug. 27, 2014.
Turk and his brother, Dylan, were arrested after detectives discovered they were the last seen with Lott before his disappearance. Eventually, the brothers confessed, and told detectives they lured Lott to the remote area to rob a drug dealer.
Turk entered a plea to a reduced charge of manslaughter with no sentencing recommendation. He argued his age, which was 18 years old at the time, and lack of prior criminal record justified a lesser sentence.
The judge noted Lott was shot six times as he was running away and that the brothers removed personal belongings from Lott’s pockets before leaving the scene.