Valentine sentenced to 20 years in prison

Published 3:37 pm Tuesday, October 8, 2019

A Warren County man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after his conviction on a charge of aggravated DUI resulting in a death.

Ninth District Circuit Judge M. James Chaney sentenced Curtis Lee Valentine, 23, to 25 years in prison with five suspended for a total of 20 years.

A Warren County Circuit Court jury on Sept. 19 convicted Valentine of aggravated DUI resulting in the Nov. 22, 2016, death of Katherine “Katie” Nicole Martin, 20, after a trial in Circuit Court. Martin was a passenger in the car driven by Valentine.

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According to Warren County Sheriff’s Office reports, the car driven by Valentine appeared to be traveling on Moseley Gap Road before losing control in a curve. The car, a 2011 Nissan Altima, then left the road, struck a tree and rolled more than once before coming to rest in the middle of the road.

Valentine, 20, and another passenger, Kahlil Brown, 24, of Vicksburg, were injured in the wreck. Martin was pronounced dead at the scene and was later identified by family members at a local funeral home.

Valentine was charged with her death in March 2017 and turned himself in at the sheriff’s office accompanied by his attorney.

 

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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