ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - A Dougherty County man convicted of killing another in a gang-related shooting will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Shaquille Mathis, who was previously found guilty of all counts in the death of Jawaski Kennedy, 28, was sentenced to life behind bars plus 15 years to be served consecutively.

Before the sentence was handed down, prosecutors asked Judge Victoria Darrisaw to sentence Mathis to the max.

“The state asks that the right sentence be imposed in this case your honor. To send a message that this type of violence in our community is not ok.”

The defense asked that Mathis be sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Saying that he’d be over the age of 60 when released, and “a different person at that time.”

“These cases are always hard, there’s no winners, but part of the things of society that we believe is that people can be rehabilitated and can change,” a defense attorney representing Mathis, said.

Victim’s mother addresses defendant

Kennedy’s mother, Yolanda Jackson, delivered a victim impact statement in which she said she forgives Mathis. She also said his actions cannot make her hate him.

“You have hurt me tremendously. You have broke me down to the lowest term.” Jackson said. “Just know, and thank God, that Jawaski Kennedy mother forgives you, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart.”

Mathis was previously convicted of:

• Malice murder
• Felony murder, two counts of
• Aggravated assault (two counts)
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
• Violation of the Street Gang Act

Prosecutors said Mathis shot Kennedy in the head on Oct. 17, 2020 outside the House of Jazz in Albany. They argued the killing was retaliation following a double murder four days earlier.

“Imagine running with hope and when I get to the 700 block of Highland, all hope is gone,” Jackson said. “I watch you in the courtroom Mr. Mathis, and you’re not the monster that people tried to make me think that you were.”

The defense argued no witness directly saw Mathis fire the shot and challenged evidence linking him to the vehicle used in the shooting.

What’s next

Attorneys for Mathis said they will file a motion for a new trial.

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