5-year sentence ordered for accessory in McComb death

MCCOMB, Miss. (AP) - A former policeman charged as an accessory in a murder case has been sentenced to serve five years in prison.

The Enterprise-Journal reports (https://bit.ly/1IWgQ7w ) that Jasper Pittman, 26, pleaded guilty earlier this month to third-degree arson, conspiracy and accessory after the fact of murder in connection with the Aug. 18, 2013, stabbing death of 53-year-old Kenneth Thompson of McComb and the burning of Thompson’s truck.

Circuit Judge Mike Taylor sentenced Pittman to 13 years with eight years suspended.

Pittman was one of four people charged in connection with the crime.

In January, a jury convicted Greg Fortenberry, 27, of first-degree murder, third-degree arson, two counts conspiracy and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to life without parole.

In February, Lajerrious A. “Moo” Perkins, 19, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, third-degree arson and two counts of conspiracy. He was sentenced to 40 years.

Thompson’s son Blake Thompson, 16, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy and was sentenced to 30 years.

Prosecutors said Blake Thompson ran away from home and was living in Pittman’s house when he learned his father was in the neighborhood looking for him.

Prosecutors say Blake Thompson allegedly suggested killing his father to get his debit card. Fortenberry and Perkins flagged Kenneth Thompson down and Fortenberry stabbed him to death, then they buried him in the woods.

Prosecutors say Pittman was not home at the time of the killing but concealed evidence and helped Fortenberry and Perkins burn Kenneth Thompson’s truck.

Pittman is a former police officer with the McComb and Brookhaven police departments.

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Information from: Enterprise-Journal, https://www.enterprise-journal.com