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Kunta Steward appeared Monday afternoon in Posey County Circuit Court before Judge James Redwine to plead guilty to reckless homicide in the shooting death of Luke Darr.
Steward was escorted into a full courtroom by Sheriff Jim Folz.
Beth McFadin-Higgins served as his counsel in the case, while Posey County Prosecutor Jodi Uebelhack appeared for the State.
At the time of the hearing, the pre-sentence report had not been completed.
Steward was sworn in by Judge Redwine, who asked if Steward read and understood the advisement. Steward acknowledged that he understood.
Steward then plead guilty to reckless homicide, a Class C felony. Counts one and three were dismissed because of double jeopardy.
Redwine then asked Steward to tell him what happened.
Luke Darr’s mother wept openly in court as Steward began.
“We were coming back to get beer. I went to look at a four-wheeler. I had a gun in my waistband that was pinching my skin. I pulled the gun out of my pants and the gun went off,” said Steward.
He added that he didn’t think the bullet hit anything. But then he saw the bullet had struck Darr in the back of the head. Steward cried as he explained what happened to the court.
He said that 9-1-1 was called and he was told to go outside and wait for the police to arrive.
Judge Redwine then asked what the State would prove if the case went to trial. She explained that the evidence would prove that on Aug. 19, at approximately 11:57 p.m. dispatch was called to 6124 Gregory Lane because a man had received a gun shot wound to the head.
It was determined that a 44-caliber handgun was used. It was located adjacent to the chair where Darr was sitting.
Uebelhack also said she had a number of witnesses that would testify to the events of the evening.
The judge explained the consequences of pleading guilty, such as being deemed a habitual offender if convicted of another crime in the future.
Redwine then asked Steward if he wanted a jury trial after explaining what a jury trial is and consequences of not having a jury trial, such as he could be found innocent of all charges. Steward declined a jury trial.
“Is it true that on August 19, you recklessly killed Luke Darr, another human being?” asked Judge Redwine.
“Yes,” replied Steward.
Redwine accepted the plea.
Steward then asked to speak to the court before the sentencing hearing began.
“I just wanted to tell the family that I’m sorry to take their son. I’m sorry to his son, Robbie. He was my friend. He had my back. He was a good person. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I’m very sorry to my family and to my son,” he said, crying.
Bob Darr, Luke’s father then spoke. He presented a petition to the court. He then read a statement on behalf of the family.
“We have a picture of our son, father and brother from this that will never leave our mind of the last minutes of Luke’s life,” he read.
“We feel that Mr. Steward has been given many breaks. We ask the court to give him the maximum sentence. We feel that he murdered our son. He is a psychopath that has no regard for human life,” Darr concluded.
Wade Morris then spoke for the defense. He was a former employer of Steward.
“Kunta worked for me in the summer of 2004. In that time, I got to know a humble man. He did what I asked him to do. I had no problem with him recognizing my authority,” said Morris.
He then asked the court for mercy. He added that he would employ Steward if he had the opportunity.
Kunta’s mother, Bonnie, read a statement. She told the court about Steward and Darr’s friendship. She said they had the same birthday.
She also said that she saw Kunta and Luke around 8 p.m. on the night of the shooting and noted that they were not fighting. They were laughing and having a good time.
She appealed to the court to urge the community to offer young people more things to do in this community. She cited the drug and alcohol problem of the county as a cause for Kunta’s actions.
Judge Redwine did not sentence Steward on Monday. His sentencing was set for Nov. 27, at 11 a.m.
Steward could get up to eight years in prison and face up to $10,000 in fines.
After the proceeding, Uebelhack said that despite encouragement from the family of Luke Darr, the State saw no reason to charge Steward with murder. The evidence proved that reckless homicide was the appropriate charge for the crime.