In the early morning hours of September 22, 2013, a dispute in the parking lot of a Lexington, Kentucky gentleman's club tragically escalated, resulting in the death of 22-year-old Johntel DeSean 'Pudd' Crocker. The Black / African American man was fatally shot during the altercation.
The series of events that led to the fatal encounter began with a fight between several women in the parking lot of Divas Gentleman's Club on Russell Cave Road. Crocker intervened to break up the fight.
During the commotion, it was alleged that he either climbed over or stepped on a Nissan Maxima belonging to Joshua Lee Tevis. This action sparked a confrontation between the two men.
The argument between Crocker and Tevis quickly turned physical. According to trial testimony, Crocker punched Tevis in the mouth. In response, Tevis drew a firearm and shot Crocker once in the chest. After Crocker had fallen to the ground, Tevis fired a second shot that grazed him. The initial shot, however, proved to be fatal. In the ensuing chaos, two of Crocker's friends also drew guns and exchanged fire with Tevis, with more than 30 shots being fired in total. When police arrived at the chaotic scene shortly after 2:30 a.m., they found seven cars had been struck by bullets and Crocker suffering from his fatal injury.
Joshua Lee Tevis, 28 at the time of the trial, turned himself in to police on the Wednesday following the shooting. He was charged in connection with Crocker's death. During his trial, surveillance video of the incident was a key piece of evidence, with the defense arguing that Tevis acted in self-defense after being 'sucker-punched.' The prosecution contended that Tevis was the aggressor and that the use of deadly force was not justified. After six hours of deliberation, a Fayette Circuit Court jury found Tevis guilty of reckless homicide and being a persistent felony offender. The jury recommended a total sentence of 15 years in prison. Formal sentencing was scheduled for January 23, 2015.
