Paul Thornton Gregg Jr., a 37-year-old white male from Mulberry, Florida, tragically lost his life on February 15, 2017. Paul was born on November 30, 1979, in Bartow, Florida, and had lived in Mulberry his entire life. He worked for Sims Crane and was a member of the Family Worship Center. On the night of his death, Paul was involved in a fatal incident at his home on Gibson Street, where he lived with his girlfriend, Jessica Whidden, and her 15-year-old son, Michael Cole Whidden.
The
events leading to Paul's death began when Jessica and Michael returned home from a restaurant. An argument ensued between Jessica and Paul, during which Paul allegedly became aggressive. Concerned for his mother's safety, Michael retrieved a 12-gauge shotgun from his room. When Paul moved towards a closet in the master bedroom that contained several weapons, Michael shot him in the back, resulting in Paul's immediate death.
Following the incident, Michael Whidden was initially charged with first-degree murder by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. However, after careful consideration of the circumstances and consultation with law enforcement, the State Attorney's Office decided to resolve the case in juvenile court, reducing the charge to manslaughter. Michael pleaded no contest to the manslaughter charges and was sentenced to at least two years in a high-risk juvenile facility, followed by a minimum of one year of conditional release until his 21st birthday. He was also required to complete a transitional program to help him reintegrate into society and was prohibited from living in a residence where weapons were kept.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Paul's family, including his father, Paul Gregg Sr., expressed forgiveness towards Michael. They acknowledged the difficult position Michael was in as a 15-year-old and hoped that he would be able to forgive himself. The Gregg family and Jessica Whidden maintained a supportive relationship, with plans to stay in contact during Michael's rehabilitation. This tragic event highlighted the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the importance of addressing the best interests of the child involved.
