Kenneth Bernard Wooten will spend the next 30 years in prison for shooting and killing a man in 2023.
Wooten, 35, was found guilty of second degree murder in Columbus County Superior Court today (Oct. 13). Chief Resident Superior Court Judge C. Ashley Gore sentenced Wooten. He was defended by Junius B. Lee. Heather Payne Brittain prosecuted the case. Wooten was sentenced as a violent felon. He still faces a charge of felony conspiracy from when he was incarcerated at the Columbus County Detention Center.
In 2023, Wooten and another suspect, Nicholas J.C. Mitchell, were arrested after they allegedly shot and killed Michael Jason Scott, 54, in June 2023. Mitchell was held in a juvenile facility until his 18th birthday, when he was also indicted for second degree murder. Wooten was convicted in the killing of Scott at 429 Ward St. Whiteville.
Wooten has a long history with law enforcement.
Court records show Wooten was charged with murder in 2017. He was arrested for shooting death of Jacob Baldwin, a West Columbus High School football player, at a home on Jackson Street in 2016.
Wooten was on house arrest awaiting trial for the Baldwin killing when he allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and went on a shooting spree in Chadbourn. Nov. 25-26, 2017, wounding one man and damaging several homes. A number of shooting incidents were reported in the town at that time.
Prior to the 2017 incident, Wooten allegedly shot Christopher Aaron Blackwell in Chadbourn during a dispute over marijuana. Blackwell was not seriously injured.
After that incident, Wooten was placed on supervised release on charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, common law robbery, carrying a concealed weapon and narcotics possession in that case, according to court and DOC records.
A Columbus County grand jury refused to indict Wooten in the Baldwin killing, but he later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Wooten served 17 months in prison and was placed on post-release supervision. He was released from prison in May 2023 – less than a month before Ward was killed, according to the Department of Corrections (DOC).
Wooten’s address at the time of the Whiteville killing was 591 McMillian Rd., Whiteville.
WPD Chief Paul Rockenback thanked the State Bureau of Investigation and the District Attorney’s Office for their work on the case.
“The Whiteville Police Department appreciates the time, effort, and commitment devoted by the District Attorney’s Office to help bring this matter to its conclusion,” Rockenbach said in the release.
“The 30-year prison sentence marks a significant outcome in this case and reflects the importance of thorough investigations, interagency cooperation, and the continued pursuit of accountability for violent crime,” the release said. “While no judicial outcome can undo the loss experienced by a victim’s family, the Whiteville Police Department remains committed to seeking justice for victims and ensuring that cases are investigated with diligence and professionalism.”
Mitchell is still awaiting trial.
