Louisiana: Parents convicted of lying to help killer son

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) -- A Lake Charles couple will spend years behind bars for lying to police about their teenage son's involvement in a drive-by shooting that killed a 14-year-old girl in 2009. On Monday, Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Nina Lambert Newton, 44, to 10 years in prison for obstructing justice and being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder of Alexus Rankins, The American Press reported. Rodney Bernard Newton, 48, got three years as an accessory after the fact in the death of Rankins, who was walking home from a mall when she got caught in the crossfire. The Newtons were tried in May with their sons, Sean, 19, and Brandon, 18. Sean Newton was convicted of first-degree murder, his brother as an accessory after the fact, and both brothers of inciting to riot and obstructing justice. Defense attorney Todd Clemons argued that no evidence suggested that Rodney Newton had tried to help his sons evade arrest and prosecution, so Davis should overturn the conviction or grant a new trial. Even if Newton knew a crime was committed and didn't report it, that doesn't make him an accessory after the fact, Clemons said. Prosecutor Cynthia Killings worth said both parents conspired to make up a story and lied to police. Davis upheld the conviction, saying that although the evidence wasn't strong it showed the couple lied to authorities. Sean Newton was sentenced in July to life in prison; Davis will sentence Brandon Newton on Friday. The accessory charge carries a maximum sentence of five years, while obstruction of justice carries up to 40 years. Clemons asked Davis to consider Nina Newton's spotless previous criminal record. "Maternal instincts" prompted her actions this time, and she's unlikely to commit the crime again because the same circumstances are unlikely to recur, he said. Killingsworth countered that Nina Newton helped dispose of the gun and lied to police. Rankins' family wanted her to get the maximum sentence, Killingsworth said. Published: Thu, Sep 22, 2011