A Sanford man was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for the shooting deaths of his ex-girlfriend and her son.
SANFORD, Fla. — In 2017, Allen Cashe killed Latina Herring and her 8-year-old son, Branden. Prosecutors said Cashe also shot Herring's father, her other son and two innocent bystanders.
#Breaking: Judge sentences Allen Cashe to life in prison for murder of LaTina Herring and her 8 year old son Branden. 4 others shot as well. Cashe said nothing before sentencing.#WFTV pic.twitter.com/XJv9P6cQqa
— Jeff Levkulich (@jlevkulichWFTV) January 16, 2019
“I just had a question about the plea; about the possibility of parole part?” Cashe asked the judge.
Channel 9 reporter Jeff Levkulich, who was inside the courtroom, said Cashe’s question prompted laughter from family members in the crowd as the judge told Cashe that parole was not a possibility.
Herring’s niece, Talhaah Hampton, was the first up to give her victim impact statement.
“I don't know what or why the defendant did what he did, but I do know he hurt a lot of people, and I sincerely hope he will never be able to hurt anyone again," Hampton said.
Other family members also made statments, such as, “I hope you die.”
After the hearing, Herring's surviving son and her grandmother spoke with Levkulich.
“I don't think justice was served,” Herring’s grandmother Franca McQueen said.
The shootings happened during an argument about keys. Herring told police Cashe had the keys to her home and refused to give them back. While talking to Herring, police received a 911 call from Cashe stating that Herring had the keys to his vehicle. The victim returned the keys to Cashe at a gas station in Sanford, and both parties left separately.
“When it was all said and done, did you get what you wanted? All of this over a set of keys," Hampton said.
Police said they later received a 911 call about the former couple getting into a second argument over property, this time at the home. The officer went to the home and was able to settle the argument once more, police said.
Officers arrived at the home, and found Herring and Cashe fighting in the front yard, arguing over Cashe returning the keys, which were later located inside the home.
According to police, Cashe then collected some of his clothing and was preparing to leave the home. The victim brought out a bag, saying it was filled with more of Cashe’s belongings. Cashe refused to take the bag and left.
Herring asked if officers would take the bag with Cashe’s belongings and hold it for safekeeping. Inside the bag, officers found a Glock .22-caliber handgun and ammunition.
Later, police said they received another 911 call from someone reporting that Herring, her father and her children had been shot.
Police said Cashe drove away and randomly shot two bystanders at West 24th Street and South Marshall Avenue. The bystanders survived.
Cox Media Group