Chauncy Askew given two life sentences for 2016, 2018 murders

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The man who pleaded guilty to the murders of Jerome Parrott and NCHP trooper Kevin Conner has been sentenced.

On Thursday, a judge sentenced Chauncy Askew to two consecutive life sentences. Askew will not have the possibility of parole for his sentence in the murder of Conner.

On Tuesday, Askew pleaded guilty to both murders during his trial for the 2016 killing of Jerome Parrott. He pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty in the murder of Trooper Conner.

Askew had not yet gone on trial for the charges in the 2018 death of Kevin Conner.

Askew killed Conner during a traffic stop in 2018 and Parrot at a nightclub in Columbus County in 2016.

District Attorney Jon David said this case wasn’t just about seeking justice, but also honoring the victim’s life and legacy.

“Kevin exemplifies the very best of what we should want in a law enforcement officer,” David said. “He was truly a wonderful coworker, fair to everyone he met, much beloved and his life and legacy was celebrated today. I’m reminded that its not just the criminal justice system but its the victim’s system too.”

Victim impact statements were given ahead of Thursday’s sentence.

One such statement was given by the head of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Colonel Freddy Johnson, who said Conner will be dearly missed.

Conner’s widow Miranda Ellington said she is grateful for all of the support she and her family have received.

“Today’s verdict brings some sense of closure for us but more than that, it ensures that the person who murdered Kevin will spend the rest of his life behind bars and he will never be able to kill another law enforcement officer,” Ellington said. “And I would like to thank our community for standing behind us for the past 5 years and the support and love that they have shown us.”

Parrot’s wife also gave an impact statement.

David said one reason the state did not pursue the death penalty was Askew’s low IQ.

“You see, apparently the defendant was involved in a car accident at age 15 for which he received a traumatic brain injury. He almost died that day and as a consequence, he has a severe intellectual disability which dropped his IQ to a functional level of 52.”

David said that IQ of 52 is below the bar of 70 points, which qualifies Askew as intellectually disabled.

Askew will not have the possibility of parole because of the murder of Trooper Conner.