The Verdict Is In On Kibbee Shooting
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A Kibbee man accused of shooting and killing another man in 2023 recently went to trial, and was ultimately found not guilty of committing murder by the jury.
The Montgomery County Courthouse was crowded last week, as Hunter Blake Kersey, 30, of Montgomery County, faced a jury trial for charges of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault in connection to his involvement with the death of Mason McCarty, 23, of Vidalia, in 2023.
According to GBI Region 12 Field Office Special Agent continued from page
in Charge Lindsey Wilkes, the GBI was requested to assist in an investigation of a shooting that occurred after an altercation near Jake McCaw Road at around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2023.
On the day of the shooting, upon authorities’ arrival, McCarty was driven by ambulance to a field adjacent to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church on North Old Kibbee Road where AirEvac landed and attempted to transport the patient to Savannah. Due to complications, the individual was transported by ambulance to Memorial Health Meadows Hospital, where he was stabilized then transferred by AirEvac to Memorial Health University Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries.
During the investigation, law enforcement determined that McCarty and Kersey were involved in a confrontation when the shooting occurred. Previously, Kersey claimed that he acted in self-defense, but after further inquiry into the case, the GBI found evidence to charge Kersey with murder and aggravated assault.
Oconee Judicial District Superior Court Judge Howard Kaufold presided over the case, as Assistant District Attorney Chad Pritchett served as the case’s prosecutor, arguing that Kersey’s use of a gun was not only an excessive use of force, but also influenced by his own negative feelings about McCarty, while Kersey’s attorney David Pittman stated that Kersey was acting in self defense after being attacked by McCarty while attempting to help rescue his brother-in-law from the ditch.
Throughout the trial, questions arose regarding the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s investigative procedures throughout the case, as agents, deputies, and dispatchers were questioned about DNA testing, body camera footage, and call recording. Several eyewitnesses also testified in the case, as each shared their perspective of the incident.
Pittman motioned for immunity during the trial multiple times – which would dismiss the criminal charges on the basis of self defense – but the motion was denied by Judge Kaufold. Following the last denial of the motion, Pittman shared with the court that he intended to file for a new trial.
After four days of testimonies and a few hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of “not guilty” of malice murder and felony murder, as they were unable to convict Kersey of the crimes without the presence of reasonable doubt. However, the jury did return a “guilty” verdict for the aggravated assault charge, which is punishable by sentences of one year to twenty years.
The sentencing hearing date has not yet been determined. Kersey was taken into custody following the verdict.
