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By JOYANNA LOVE |Managing Editor

Jermink Lykes was sentenced on Jan. 12 to 30 years in circuit court for manslaughter.

Lykes had initially been arrested in October 2018 in connection with the death of Nasson Postell, a 21-year-old resident of Clanton. Postell had been found dead near Ollie Park in Clanton with multiple gunshot wounds on Oct. 21, 2018, according to information from the Clanton Police Department at the time of the arrest.

Lykes was found guilty of manslaughter after a five-day trial ended the afternoon of Oct. 21.

The usual sentence for manslaughter is 2 to 20 years. However, District Attorney C.J. Robinson said a longer sentence was possible under the Habitual Felony Offender Act. Lykes has multiple prior felony convictions. Under this act the possible range went up to 15-99 years.

Lykes defense team submitted multiple letters to the court from acquaintances about Lykes and emphasized the fact that he has four children. The defense asked that this be taken into consideration during the sentencing.

The prosecution had four members of Postell’s family talk about the impact of losing him. The prosecution asked that the judge go beyond the sentencing guidelines for manslaughter and give a longer sentence.

Lykes would be eligible for a parole hearing after 15 years. He does have the right to appeal.