'They had no mercy.' Why the family of murdered Claymont man can't forgive his killers

The murder of 56-year-old Kevin Goodson was "callous."

"Cruel,” said New Castle County Superior Court Judge Eric Davis. "Depraved.”

For the July 2023 attack in Claymont, Davis sentenced the three men responsible to a cumulative 130 years behind bars.

Davis handed down the sentences Friday afternoon in a courtroom filled on one side by Goodson’s loved ones. On the other side sat the family and friends of Justin Locke, Jeffrey Labarge and Tyler Simpson, who brutally beat Goodson on July 23, 2022, then shot him and burned his body.

Locke, whom prosecutors called the “ringleader” of the group, was given 55 years in prison, 10 more than prosecutors had asked for. Simpson received 40 years, while Labarge got 35.

THE KILLING: Inside court room, a grieving family listens as more details emerge about Claymont murder

All previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy and kidnapping, while Locke additionally pleaded to possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

“These three men were the judge, the jury and the executioner of Kevin’s life,” said Debbie Cox, Goodson’s sister, as she read her husband’s victim impact statement on Friday.

“What did Kevin do to these three people? I can't even wrap my head around what has happened.”

What happened?

The investigation began just before midnight on July 23, 2022, when a driver who was passing Claymont Auto Repair on Philadelphia Pike called 911 to report that several men were "placing what appeared to be a human body into the rear cargo area" of a red SUV.

When Delaware State Police troopers responded to the shop, they found blood in the parking lot. After reviewing surveillance video from the business, they knew they were looking for three men – later identified as 20-year-old Locke, 20-year-old Labarge and 22-year-old Simpson – as well as a fourth person who played a lesser role in the crime.

As police investigated, they learned the incident unfolded about 11 p.m. when Locke “had issues” with Goodson, who was buying coffee at a nearby gas station. Family said Goodson loved the hot beverage and would drink it at any time of the day.

A verbal “altercation” took place in line between the two, a detective previously testified, though surveillance video did not record sound.

After Goodson left the gas station, prosecutors say Locke “rallied” Labarge and Simpson and found the man walking near Claymont Auto Repair. They attacked the 56-year-old, first punching him and knocking him to the ground, then repeatedly kicking and punching him. They left soon after, driving to the Claymont neighborhood of Knollwood.

There, they found a known drug user, whom they paid in drugs to check on Goodson. That man reported that he was alive but not doing well. About 30 minutes after the attack, Locke, Labarge and Simpson returned to the auto shop in Locke’s car and dragged Goodson’s body to the vehicle, placing him in the trunk.

Data from a GPS ankle bracelet Locke wore showed that the men then drove to the former EVRAZ Claymont Steel plant, also known as CitiSteel USA, where they dumped Goodson. They would later return, where Simpson and Labarge said Locke shot Goodson four times before burning the man’s body with gasoline they had the drug user buy.

Locke wore the anklet as a condition of his probation in Maryland. He had pleaded guilty to a gun charge there.

Detectives identified the three men based on surveillance video and within days had arrested Locke and Labarge. Both gave police varying statements which contained some truths, though each man blamed the others for the killing.

Simpson was arrested several days after his co-defendants. Months later, he spoke with police, telling them that Locke was the ringleader. He and Labarge both said that Locke shot Goodson because “he had to be sure” that the man was dead.

Prosecutors said at Friday’s sentencing that Locke told the two men they couldn’t get help because Locke was on probation and has a daughter.

'No mercy'

Goodson’s sister cycled between anger and anguish as she read victim impact statements on behalf of the 56-year-old’s nephews and brother-in-law.

Goodson, one nephew remembered, was like an older brother rather than an uncle. They were only four years apart and Goodson taught him to ride a bike, skateboard and rollerblade.

When the nephew was about 10, Goodson “came into some money” and bought him “my first big-boy bike,” Cox read.

“He had no worldly goods, but he would give you the shirt off his back,” Cox said. “He never had a harsh word for anybody.”

She shook as she cried as she read the statements, turning to her husband for comfort.

“Kevin didn't have a snowball’s chance in hell,” she said of Locke, Labarge and Simpson’s actions. “They had no mercy on Kevin, and there’s nothing on God’s green earth that could warrant such a heinous crime.”

INITIAL STORY: A mother, a GPS anklet and a confession: How police ID'd suspects in Claymont killing

For their part, Locke, Labarge and Simpson acknowledged on Friday that Goodson didn’t deserve what they did. All spoke, apologizing to the man’s family.

Labarge said he was “wracked with guilt” for the murder, while Simpson told Goodson’s family: “I don’t deserve to be speaking to you.” Both acknowledged they could have gotten medical help after the beating but instead participated in the desecration of Goodson’s body.

Locke, meanwhile, said that “no reasons are acceptable to justify what I’ve done.”

Despite the young man’s apparent remorse on Friday, Deputy Attorney General Jamie McCloskey said Locke was the last to take responsibility for the attack. And on the night of the killing, he never once thought, “what about the guy in my trunk struggling to breathe?” McCloskey said.

Soon after McCloskey spoke these words, Locke’s mother yelled from the courtroom gallery that Simpson was to blame for her son’s actions.

“He did it because Tyler Simpson held a gun to my son’s head,” she said as bailiffs led her away.

Yet minutes later, Locke contradicted her.

“I’m accepting full responsibility,” he said.

Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Family of murdered Claymont man finds no forgiveness at sentencing