On the morning of August 10, 2021, Javontae Tervell Green, a 29-year-old resident of Bakersfield, California, was fatally shot on Eye Street between Second and Third streets. The Kern County Coroner's Office confirmed that Green died from a gunshot wound to the head. The incident occurred around 11:15 a.m., and Green was pronounced dead at the scene.
The tragic event unfolded during a confrontation involving Green, his girlfriend, and her mother, Jerrollyn Hunt.
Jerrollyn Hunt, 40 years old at the time, was arrested the following day and charged with first-degree murder. According to court documents, the altercation began when Green allegedly took his girlfriend's car keys after an argument. Hunt, her daughter, and two other women went to Green's residence to retrieve the keys. When they arrived, they knocked on the door, but no one answered. Subsequently, someone broke a window, leading to a heated confrontation. Witnesses reported that Green was attacked by several women wielding sticks, and he grabbed a stick to defend himself. During the altercation, Hunt fired a single shot, hitting Green in the head.
Hunt claimed she acted in self-defense, fearing for her daughter's safety. She stated that Green had been aggressive and had thrown a stick at her, prompting her to fire the gun reflexively. Despite her claims, a jury found Hunt guilty of second-degree murder in September 2021. The court also found a firearm enhancement to be true, which added to her sentence. In November 2022, Hunt was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison. During the sentencing, Hunt expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness from Green's family, stating that she was a mother trying to protect her daughter, not a murderer.
The case drew significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the emotional testimonies from both families. Hunt's defense argued that she had no prior criminal record and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder due to a previous robbery. However, the prosecution emphasized the severity of the crime and the impact on Green's family, particularly his young daughter, who was celebrating her birthday on the day of the shooting. The court ultimately upheld the conviction, and Hunt remains in custody, serving her sentence.
