On Tuesday, May 12, a Milwaukee man was ordered to spend four decades behind bars for the 2024 killing of Latonia Ford, a 51-year-old Milwaukee Public Schools teacher and mother. Kenny Knight, who pleaded guilty earlier this year, will also serve 20 years of extended supervision once his prison term is over. The sentence closes a case that has weighed heavily on Ford’s school community and neighborhood since last summer’s memorials.
Sentence and plea
The court handed down 40 years of initial confinement followed by 20 years of extended supervision, according to CBS 58. Knight pleaded guilty in March to first-degree reckless homicide, the outlet reports, which meant the case moved directly from the plea to sentencing without a jury trial.
How the killing unfolded
According to the criminal complaint cited by CBS 58, Knight walked into Milwaukee Police Department District 4 in July 2024 and told officers, "Morning boss. I am here to turn myself in, I just shot my girlfriend." Court filings and surveillance video outlined in the complaint state that he approached Ford’s car and fired multiple rounds, and that she was shot at least 22 times.
Community response
Ford’s family and co-workers organized a balloon release near 57th and Hampton to honor her life and grieve her loss, according to WISN. Coverage of the gathering showed students, neighbors and colleagues remembering Ford as a dedicated third-grade teacher and mother, FOX6 Milwaukee reported.
Legal note
Under Wisconsin law, first-degree reckless homicide is a Class B felony that can carry a maximum total sentence of up to 60 years, with sentencing divided into initial confinement and extended supervision, according to Wisconsin Courts and state statutes. The sentence in Knight’s case fits within that framework and reflects the court’s assessment of the evidence and arguments presented at sentencing.
