WINONA — The woman who drove a pair of accused murderers to and from the apartment where a man was killed in October has been sentenced to the time she's already served and put on probation for five years.
Kayla Mae Clay, of Galesville, Wis., pleaded guilty Feb. 12 — her 19th birthday — to one felony count of aiding an offender-accomplice after the fact. In exchange for the plea, three identical counts were dismissed.
She was sentenced Thursday in Winona County District Court to 117 days in jail, with credit for 117 day served. In addition, she must complete a psychological evaluation and follow its recommendations.
As part of the plea, Clay agreed to testify against the other defendants.
Lonnie Lavonte Keymone Hudson, 24, is the alleged gunman in the case. He faces one count each of first-degree intentional murder, second-degree intentional murder and first-degree aggravated robbery, three counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm/ammo after conviction of a crime of violence. All are felonies.
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Hudson hasn't entered a plea in the case. He remains in custody in lieu of $5 million bond and is due back in court May 18.
Reginald Alexander Burnett Jr., 19, is charged with aiding and abetting Hudson on all of the counts, except the firearm charge.
He pleaded not guilty to all counts Thursday, and remains in custody in lieu of $3 million bond. His next court date is set for May 11.
The men are accused of pushing their way into an apartment the afternoon of Oct. 18 after arranging to buy a quarter-pound of marijuana. Once inside, they pistol-whipped the man who had brought them there, then shot Adam Tylor Fort, 31.
Fort died at the scene.
Clay initially denied her role, claiming she'd given her car keys to Burnett, her boyfriend at the time. When he and Hudson returned, Clay said, they had a lot of money, but wouldn't tell her where they got it. Based on the amount — Clay estimated it at $2,000 — she "was pretty sure he robbed somebody," court documents say. Burnett allegedly gave her about $600.
In addition, Clay said Hudson had a gun, adding there was blood on the gun and on his pants, but she denied hearing anything about the shooting until the day she was interviewed, the reports say.
Clay eventually admitted she'd driven the car, but insisted she didn't know anything was going to happen.
