Warren woman sentenced to prison for running down woman with car, killing her
A Warren woman who hunted down another woman and ran her over with her car and killed her learned her fate on Tuesday.
Thirty-seven-year-old Kenyanna Pennock was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on charges of murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault.
"I think they did a very good job in fighting for us, prosecutor Burnett and his team, they were awesome, they were good and this was justice for me and my family and her daughter especially," Sonja Harris, Jesare'e mother said.
The charges stem from an incident in November of 2022 when 36-year-old Jesare'e Harris was killed after Pennock purposefully ran Harris over with her car after an altercation with her brother outside of a bar in Warren.
During the sentencing, Harris's mother testified on her behalf stating that her death has been devastating to the lives of her family.
"Kenyanna, you have managed to devastate the life of Jesare'e family all in one senseless night and a choice you made," Harris said. "You taken the life of Jesiree. She is now a memory in our life."
In a statement, Pennock blamed her attorney.
"I would like to say, 14 months this been going on, 14 months I have never sit down with my attorney, 14 months I have never went over this case with him, 14 months I have never seen him cept discovery and I want to once again say, to send prayers to her mother and her daughter and I’m going to continue to keep them in my prayers," Pennock said.
According to the Trumbull County Prosecutor's Office, Pennock's speed averaged about 50 miles per hour. Judge Andrew Logan says that speed showed a "high disregard" for Harris's safety.
During her trial, the defense argued that Pennock did not purposefully hit Harris with the car, claiming that the brake lights turned on before impact and that the altercation was an act of gang violence towards Pennock.
However, the prosecution argued against this point stating that Pennock was not involved in the initial altercation.
While Pennock offered prayers for the family, they say it is still hurtful she didn't show any remorse. With this sentence though, they are ready to close this chapter and start moving forward.
"It is still a long road, her daughter for life got to go on without her mom but I think this is a chapter for us to move on and try to heal," Harris said.