FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky (LEX 18) Five people are accused in the murder of a Franklin County pizza delivery man. Cameron Montgomery pleaded guilty for her role, but now it’s up to a judge to see what happens with her ten-year sentence.
In December 2016, pizza delivery driver Jared Banta was shot and killed. His body was found outside of a Frankfort apartment complex.
"And I think about my son, my 21-year-old son, working and delivering pizzas, supposedly set up for a drug deal," said his mother, Ann Banta. "And I think about the terror of having a gun put to his head. How cruel and unusual punishment was that for him?"
Five people were charged in his death. According to an indictment, Victorya Young, Brooke Kennedy, and Cameron Montgomery are accused of setting up Banta the day he was killed. All three of the girls were charged with robbery and complicity to commit murder.
Kedrick Burton was charged with complicity to murder and robbery. Krishaun Mays was charged with murder and robbery.
Last month, Montgomery pleaded guilty to complicity to robbery and complicity to murder. She was in court Monday morning, where she apologized to the Banta family.
"I know nothing I say can heal their hearts with the loss of their loved one, but I hope they have some peace being able to personally express everything that they felt, and being able to openly ask me any questions about what happened," she said.
She was sentenced to ten years in prison, but her attorney filed a motion for shock probation. If the motion is granted, that would suspend her sentence on the condition of going to a dual diagnosis treatment facility.
Ann Banta told LEX 18 that all she can think about is the life her son lost at age 21.
"And yes, they’re all murderers to me. They were all in it together, it was as if they all pulled the trigger. They knew a gun was to be used that night. They knew somebody could die," she said.
The judge said that the decision on shock probation will be decided later.
