A Fairview man has been sentenced in Buncombe County Superior Court following a guilty plea of voluntary manslaughter in connection to the 2023 death of Jason Edmonds. n the
Tyler Perry Laughter of Fairview pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The case stems from an incident that occurred in October 2023, resulting in the death of Jason Edmonds.
Legal Proceedings
The legal proceedings took place in Buncombe County Superior Court. Superior Court Judge Alan Z. Thornburg presided over the sentencing, where Laughter entered the plea for the Class D felony. Judge Thornburg sentenced Laughter to a term of 121 to 158 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
From Buncombe County DA Press Release:
The case (23CR443505-100) stems from an incident in the area of Reddick Road in East Asheville. While Laughter was initially charged with first-degree murder, prosecutors determined after a thorough review of the case and consultation with the victim’s family that there was insufficient evidence of premeditation and deliberation to sustain the original charge.
In accordance with the North Carolina Victims’ Rights Act, the victim’s family was advised of the proposed plea agreement. The family expressed their agreement with today’s resolution.
Laughter was taken back into custody immediately following the proceeding and is expected to be transported to the department of corrections to begin serving his sentence.