By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Dedontae Morrison was sentenced for manslaughter Thursday in Barren County Circuit Court for the death of 55-year-old Robert Fields.
He received a 15-year sentence on an amended charge of first-degree manslaughter and a 5-year sentence on a tampering with physical evidence charge, which will run concurrently for a total sentence of 15 years.
Fields’ daughter, Gena Greenwalt, and his older sister, Nettie Fields, read aloud prepared statements during Morrison’s sentencing before Circuit Judge John Alexander on Feb. 5.
Gena said she forgave Morrison but would not forget what he took from the family.
“My father didn’t deserve what [Morrison] did to him,” she said. “For the past two years I haven’t been able to move on; I haven’t been able to find peace…I’m doing this for me, not for you: Dedontae Morrison I forgive you, but I’ll never forget what you have done to me and my family…God will judge you for what you’ve done. You no longer have a hold on my emotions.”
Nettie also read an impact statement during the sentencing.
“You have taken Robert from us…[we] lead very different lives, but I can say with certainty that he was a good person,” she said. “He may not have lived a perfect life — he made a lot of mistakes — but he did not deserve what you did to him. I know we should forgive, but as for me that’s never going to happen.”
Morrison was initially charged with murdering Robert Fields in 2024, but the murder charge was amended as part of his guilty plea after mediation, which involved Fields’ family members.
Neither Morrison nor his counsel made any statements. He was escorted from the courtroom after Alexander delivered the sentence.
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