In the days leading up to Christmas, a pizza delivery driver's life was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence. William Kline, a 44-year-old male, was working his shift for Papa John's on the afternoon of December 23, 2016, when he was shot and killed during a delivery in Duson, Louisiana. The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office responded to a call of a shooting in progress on Marigny Circle and discovered Kline's body.
An investigation into his death was immediately launched.
Within a couple of days, authorities had two suspects in custody. Ferris Martin, 22 years old, and Kevin Morrison, 30 years old, were arrested and subsequently charged with the first-degree murder of William Kline. A grand jury later indicted both men on the charge, moving the case towards trial. The investigation revealed that the duo had used a cell phone application that masked their number to place the pizza order, luring Kline to the location with the intent to rob him.
The legal proceedings brought a resolution to the case against one of the accused. In February 2019, Ferris Martin, the individual who shot Kline, entered into a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter and an additional charge of attempted armed robbery. According to the facts presented in court, Martin confronted Kline upon his arrival and shot him in the chest. His co-defendant, Kevin Morrison, later admitted to authorities that he had acted as the lookout during the planned robbery, which was intended to get money for Christmas presents.
Following his guilty plea, Ferris Martin was sentenced to thirty-one years in prison for manslaughter and another thirty-one years for attempted armed robbery. The judge ordered that the sentences be served concurrently. While the case against Martin was closed, the specific outcome of the charges against his alleged accomplice, Kevin Morrison, is not detailed in the available online sources.
