A woman implicated in a 2018 murder that took the life of Lamar High School student Delindsey Mack has been sentenced to 23 years in prison. According to The Houston Chronicle, Keona Mouton was convicted of drawing Mack into what prosecutors described as a gang-related ambush, which ultimately led to his death on November 13, 2018.
On the day in question, Mack was approached by two assailants near his school's River Oaks campus. The gunmen fired multiple shots at Mack. One of the shooters, Kendrick Johnson, was said to stood over Mack and shot him repeatedly. Johnson was a known member of the 100 Percent Third Ward gang, as investigations revealed. Johnson received a life sentence for his role in Mack's murder, while Dave'on Thomas, the getaway driver, was given 50 years, according to court records.
In developments paralleling the report from The Houston Chronicle, KHOU 11 notes that Mouton, who was 16 years old at the time of the crime, was found guilty as an adult. Keona Mouton had allegedly feigned a romantic interest in Mack, leading him to the location where he was killed. In a statement obtained by KHOU 11, the prosecution characterized Kendrick Johnson as a particularly violent criminal, having been responsible for multiple homicides and targeting others at the funerals of previous victims.
The aftermath of Mack's killing brought forth palpable anguish from his family, who were preparing to celebrate his graduation just a month after his murder. "Poppy," as he was affectionately called by his grandmother, Dell Tatum, was remembered for his genuine character despite a misconstrued social media persona. Pastor D.Z. Cofield referred to Mack as "Baby Huey," alluding to his unintended entanglement in a life of violence, a narrative echoed in an interview with KHOU 11. The prosecution's portrayal of the urban violence paints a chilling image of the gang conflict; meanwhile, authorities continue their hunt for the second unidentified gunman, urging the public to come forward with information.
