In a tragic event that cut a young life short, Nathaniel Barry Stansberry III was fatally shot in January 2016. The incident occurred inside the Northway Market in St. Louis, Missouri. Stansberry, a young male, became another victim of the city's ongoing struggles with violent crime. The senseless act left a family grieving and a community searching for answers.
The investigation into the death of Nathaniel Stansberry III led to the identification and arrest of Charles Cornet Napper. Initially facing a charge of first-degree murder, Napper ultimately reached a plea agreement with prosecutors as the case was set to go to trial. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action for his role in the killing.
In a courtroom filled with emotion, the sentencing for Charles Cornet Napper took place. As part of the plea deal, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. In a remarkable display of grace, Nathaniel Stansberry III's mother, Shaunte Harris, addressed her son's killer directly. Through tears, she spoke of the good kid he was and offered her forgiveness to Napper for being man enough to plead guilty. In response, Napper offered an apology to Harris for taking her son's life. He will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
