Defendant sentenced in death of Warwick native Kevin Kless

PHILADELPHIA — One of the three men charged in the beating death of former Warwick resident Kevin Kless has been sentenced to two to five years in prison.

Felix Carrillo, 23, and two others were initially charged with third-degree murder; Carrillo accepted a plea bargain and pled to involuntary manslaughter. The two others, Steven Ferguson, 20, Kenneth Santiago, 19, are awaiting trial.

The crime
Last year, on January 14, 2012, Kevin Kless, 23, a graduate of Warwick Valley High School and Temple University, was beaten to death on the streets of Philadelphia.

Kless, who was living and working in Philadelphia, was leaving a restaurant and lounge in the City’s historic district with his girlfriend and a second female companion around 2:30 a.m. when he tried and failed to hail a taxi.

He shouted angrily at the cab and the suspects, traveling close to that taxi in another vehicle, likely believed his anger was directed at them.

They got out of their car and beat the young man unconscious in front of the two women who screamed for help. He was rushed to Jefferson Hospital and died that evening as a result of severe head trauma.

Motivated by a $20,000 reward, a tipster led police to the suspects.

Personal impact
One couple who made the trip from Warwick to Philadelphia for Carrillo’s sentencing on Jan. 4 was Gerald and Merly Terry.

“The trial was emotional, very emotional,” said Gerald Terry, a former New York City Police officer. “The statements for the victim were without doubt the most powerful words I ever heard. Even the judge cried. As parents ourselves, we will never forget that hearing.”

Carillo was taken to prison Jan. 4 and will serve his time minus months already spent in jail. When he hits the two year mark, and for each year after until the fifth year, he will go before a parole board, which will determine whether he should be released or remain imprisoned for another year. At each of these parole hearings, the Kless family will have to revisit the crime and testify as to why they think he should stay in jail.

“We had an incredible show of support for Kevin, with 50 friends and family in court,” said Kendell Kless, Kevin’s mother. “Four of us ended up making statements. Kevin’s very close friend Sean Brondi spoke of the loss of his best friend. Tim Holland, the father of Kerri, Kevin’s girlfriend, spoke of his daughter’s struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder since that night and how he considers Kevin a hero. Matthew spoke eloquently about how proud he is to serve and protect the citizens of our country- ironically, even the very citizens who took Kev’s life. And I spoke about Kevin, my youngest son and how he had grown into such a wonderful young man- how this loss has affected me.”

Kless reported that it was extremely moving, heart breaking and emotional to hear the four statements.

“I couldn’t have been more satisfied to have such different and powerful perspectives represented to impart how this tragedy has affected so many people,” she said.

Several of Carillo’s family also spoke. “There were apologies and I will speak for myself when I say that they were difficult to hear, on many levels,” said Kless.

But then she added: “I spoke of several ways that this tragedy has affected me negatively, but not all of the impact has been negative.”

‘Play it forward’
This past Thanksgiving, many of her son’s high school friends were coming home to Warwick. She asked Pennings Market if the family and friends could celebrate there.

“We asked everyone to bring an article of clothing to donate locally to the needy, and almost 100 items were donated,” she said. “We also did a 50-50 and raised over $300 to add to a Kevin Kless Athletic Scholarship fund. Kevin’s friend Jarrett is a lieutenant in the Army now serving in Afghanistan. He wanted to be at the Pennings event but could not, so his way of participating was to send a $500 donation. For me, it was laughter and tears, and a great tribute to Kevin’s life, surrounded by so many family and friends who loved him.”

To return the lieutenant’s generosity, Kless approached her boss and asked if her company would support a drive for the troops of his company in Afghanistan.

“We had enough stuff to pack up 80 boxes of personal care items, food, games, cards, footballs, Frisbees, and clothing,” said Kless. “When my son’s friend Jarrett sent his incredibly generous check, I had the desire to pay it forward.”

By Roger Gavan