Former Liberty County High School student and football player Travon Walthour last week accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by two years of probation, for the January 2012 stabbing death of Terry Floyd Jr.
The plea hearing, heard by Liberty County Superior Court Judge Robert Russell, was Friday in the justice center.
Walthour was charged with four counts of murder, one count of aggravated assault, two counts of robbery and two counts of tampering with evidence for his involvement in a drug deal that went bad in the 300 block of Cook Road.
Under the agreement, Walthour pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and robbery. He received credit for time served and will be treated as a first-time offender.
On the day of the stabbing, Floyd and a friend had arranged to buy some marijuana from Walthour.
During testimony at a previous hearing, Atlantic Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Isabel Pauley said Walthour and co-defendants Jonathan Mathew Robertson and Damion Walthour met with Floyd and his friend, Everett “Chip” Drewery.
The intent was for Travon Walthour to sell Floyd $600 worth of marijuana. Walthour reportedly didn’t have the correct quantity of marijuana, and Pauley said he mixed seasonings into the bag to dupe Floyd into thinking he was getting his money’s worth.
When Floyd questioned the size and quantity, Pauley said Travon Walthour and Robertson made the decision to just run off with the money.
During a scuffle, Floyd retrieved a knife from his pocket but was overpowered by Travon Walthour.
Walthour then used the knife to stab Floyd.
In November 2013, Robertson accepted a deal and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by 10 years of probation.
Damion Walthour, whose sole involvement was driving Robertson and Travon Walthour to the scene and later stopping where Travon Walthour told him so he could dispose of the knife, received three years probation.
Both co-defendants were set to testify against Travon Walthour if the case went to trial. The trial was expected to start this Friday.