Larry Joshua Goodson, a 34-year-old male from Hampstead, NC, died on June 26, 2015. Goodson, known as "Goody" by his friends, was found dead inside a residence on Moores Landing Road. The incident occurred at the home of Dennis Westberg, a 37-year-old paramedic with New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Westberg called 911 just after 6 a.m. on the day of the incident, reporting that he had shot Goodson because Goodson was threatening him.
Westberg claimed that Goodson had come into his
bedroom screaming that he was going to kill him. Both men were reportedly drunk at the time. According to Westberg, Goodson went to a closet where guns were stored, prompting Westberg to flee the room in fear for his life. Westberg stated that Goodson started jumping up and down, and he shot him out of fear for his life.
When police arrived, Westberg was waiting outside the house, and a weapon was recovered nearby. Goodson's body was found inside the house, lying face down on the floor of the living room with his left arm tucked underneath his body. Goodson's work truck was parked outside the home.
The case went to trial, and a Pender County jury found Westberg guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The jury, consisting of nine women and three men, reached a verdict after deliberating for several hours. Superior Court Judge Josh Willey sentenced Westberg to a minimum of 12 months and no more than 24 months in prison, along with mandatory alcohol counseling. The length of the sentence would be determined by the North Carolina Department of Correction.
During the trial, Westberg's lawyer, Rick Miller, argued that Westberg acted in self-defense and that sending him to jail would only punish his two children. Miller also highlighted Westberg's status as an honorably discharged combat veteran with no criminal record. However, Judge Willey stated that he could not ignore the fact that someone had died and upheld the jury's conviction.
Goodson's mother addressed the court before Westberg was sentenced, expressing that her son meant something to God, her, and many people in the community. The state did not seek the death penalty against Westberg.
In summary, Larry Joshua Goodson's death was the result of a shooting incident involving his friend, Dennis Westberg. The case was ruled as involuntary manslaughter, and Westberg was sentenced to prison time and mandatory alcohol counseling.
