A white North Carolina teenager is set to spend the next six months behind bars after killing two Black women.
Jason Anthony Scott, 19, pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon last Wednesday.
As part of the agreement, prosecutors in Charlotte dismissed second-degree murder charges.
Scott was convicted of killing Lorin Manley and her mother, Gloria Manley. He also injured a 12-year-old who was sitting in the back seat.
Deadly Crash
According to court documents obtained by WBTV, the crash happened in December 2025. Police reported Scott was driving a BMW coupe at 100 mph when he crashed. The speed limit was 45 mph.
“Speed is suspected to be a contributing factor for this crash,” police said at the time. “Mr. Scott was screened for impairment and was found not to be impaired. Impairment is not suspected for Ms. Lorin Manley.”
Witnesses also told police that they saw Scott going faster than 100 mph.
Both Lorin and Gloria died at the scene of the crash.
The 12-year-old was reportedly trapped in the front passenger area of the vehicle before bystanders removed her. Police said she suffered from internal bleeding and a crushed pelvis.
Scott reportedly had a broken arm and fractures to his back.
Judge Suspends Sentence
The teenager was sentenced to serve at least two years and seven months, but the judge suspended the sentence, according to WBTV.
Scott will now serve six months in jail before being placed on probation for three years. He also will not be allowed to drive and will have to provide a DNA sample.
Many people online thought the judge was too lenient.
“I’m all for showing leniency to young kids like this, especially if they show remorse and it’s a first-time offense, but I have to wonder if he looked like me or my friends or just was a person of color in general, would he have been shown the same leniency?” @judah_emmanuel wrote on Instagram.
“Let me guess, he’s young, and he has his whole life ahead of him,” @coucouamelie added.
“The fact that the judge doesn’t even care that he will likely reoffend and kill more people, just because he’s a white man and the victims are Black this time,” @thia.love_ said.
“SMH the justice system protects some and ruins the lives of others,” @shavonmajoi_ commented.
Atlanta Black Star reached out to North Carolina Superior Court Judge Matthew Osman to see why he suspended Scott’s sentence, but has not heard back.
