Carthage man sentenced to 15 years for voluntary manslaughter

Elijah Hardee, 20, Carthage, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter Monday during a hearing in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Hardee was originalliy charged with murder in connection with the February 15, 2025 shooting death of Johny Reyes Garcia, 22, Carthage. The voluntary manslaughter charge was arrived at in a plea agreement with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office.

In the agreement, Hardee says he "caused the death of J. R. under the influence of sudden passion."

Hardee's crime was detailed in the probable cause statement filed in February 2025:

On 2/15/2025 the Carthage Police Department was contacted in reference to a disturbance involving a weapon. The reporting party advised on the 911 emergency call that someone had been shot at the residence and that there was a large physical disturbance ongoing.

Upon officer arrival, there was a large group of people standing around a male who was lying in the yard. The male had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and first aid was being rendered. The male was later transported to Mercy Carthage Hospital via ambulance where he was later pronounced deceased.

During a subsequent investigation, several witnesses were contacted on scene, as well as surrounding neighbors to the residence. Witness 1 was standing by the victim when he was shot and identified the male with the pistol as Elijah Hardee.

Witness 2 was also in close proximity to the victim and identified Elijah Hardee as the male who had the pistol. Witness 3 was in a physical altercation with another subject while the shooting occurred. Once a gunshot was heard, their fight stopped and they turned to look and identified Elijah Hardee holding a gun.