Local & State Headlines

West sentenced to 10 years on manslaughter charge

• A man who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter Monday is seeking a lighter sentence.

Joshua Brown

ALBANY — An Albany man who was charged in the April 2007 killing of a 21-year-old man, resulting in what prosecutors and police have described as a family feud, pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Tavarius West, 23, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison and 10 years probation by Chief Superior Court Judge Loring Gray, a spokesperson with the Dougherty District Attorney’s Office said. A mitigation hearing is scheduled for June 2 concerning the sentence, the spokesperson said.

Because witness statements — including two of Vicks’ sisters — put several shooters at the scene, prosecutors reduced the charges so they could get West to plead and serve some time, rather than risk him “walking free,” the spokesperson said.

Vicks and West agreed to meet and fight in a field on Mulberry Avenue on April 23 along with about 30 others, the spokesperson said.

The dispute turned deadly after West was hit in the head with a bottle thrown by one of Vicks’ sisters and West began shooting in Vicks’ direction, the spokesperson said.

Vicks was shot in the chest during the fight and died about 5:30 p.m. His brother, Travis Vicks, was also injured during the fracas but recovered.

More Headlines>>