Brothers sentenced to 220 years for 2020 quadruple homicide on Indy's northeast side

Brothers sentenced to 220 years for 2020 quadruple homicide on Indy’s northeast side

“220 years is a lot of time but it does not bring back the lives of our children,” said the mother of one victim, Kendra Ford.

In February 2020, Cameron Banks and Desmond Banks, who were only 19 and 17 years old at the time, were arrested and accused of participating in the murder of four individuals. They have now been sentenced to spend the remainder of their lives in prison, with a total sentence of 220 years.

Kim Roberts, the mother of one of the victims, has expressed that while she feels a sense of closure with the sentencing, it is still a bittersweet moment. She believes that in the end, nobody truly wins in such tragic circumstances.

“He was shot like 29 times so I wanted them to know how just hearing that… That someone would do that to someone was just pure evil,” said Roberts.
Cameron and Desmond Banks, along with Lasean Watkins, were found guilty in February of committing multiple murders. According to court documents, the three men shot and killed three men and a woman in an apartment on the northeast side of Indianapolis on February 5, 2020. 

The men also reportedly took stolen items and emptied a safe from the apartment before leaving. The victims were identified as Kimari Hunt (21), Braxton Ford (21), Marcel Wills (20), and Jalen Roberts (19).
Rodreice Anderson was also taken into custody in connection to the four murders, but he reached a plea agreement with investigators.

Anderson admitted to being the driver of the getaway car and waiting outside while the Banks brothers and Watkins entered the apartment, committed the murders, and robbed the place.

“My outcome of what I want to tell each one of these young men is different. So when we go to sentencing on Monday, I think after this one has happened I will be much more prepared. But, when the next one comes that’ll be a totally different story,” said Ford.

L to R: Rodreice Anderson, Cameron Banks, Desmond Banks, Lasean Watkins

Desmond Banks, who was only 17 years old when the murders took place, was found and arrested by the police while he was at school. The other suspects were all 19 years old at the time of the killings.

The two mothers have expressed their desire for an end to the violence in their community.

“You all are given the opportunity to do and be what you want to be. Violence is not a way. You have consequences when you hurt someone,” said Ford.

 

Watkins, who was also convicted of multiple murders, is expected to receive a similar prison sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for April 28th. Anderson, who pleaded guilty to several robbery charges and assisted the prosecution, will be sentenced on April 3rd.

The two mothers are encouraging parents to stay informed about what's happening in their children's lives.

“Well parents, know where your children are, talk to your children, and be aware of what they are going through. Do they need any mental health services,” said Ford.
 

Read Also: 
Parents Charged in Death of 6-Year-Old Boy Given Enough Benadryl to Kill an Adult