Antonio Toomes pleads guilty to second degree murder and aggravated burglary, sentenced to 33 years

CROCKETT COUNTY, Tenn. — On Monday, September 30, 2024, in the Circuit Court of Crockett County, Tennessee, Antonio Toomes pled guilty to Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Burglary.

He will serve 33 years at 100% in the Tennessee Department of Correction for Second Degree Murder, followed by 10 years of strict Supervised Release for Aggravated Burglary. Toomes waived all future appeals with his plea.

On October 18, 2012, Toomes and two co-conspirators broke into a residence on Gum Flat Road in Bells. While ransacking the home to steal property, Toomes found the homeowner’s loaded handgun, which he passed to another suspect while he continued to search the bedroom. Resident Matthew McKnight, 40 years old, returned home to find the burglars.

The second suspect shot and killed Mr. McKnight, with Toomes present. All three suspects then fled the scene. Toomes’ fingerprints were found at the scene, and he admitted his involvement to law enforcement, corroborating his criminal responsibility for the Aggravated Burglary and resulting Homicide of Mr. McKnight.

On February 3, 2016, Toomes was originally convicted of his charges at trial. However, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals determined that a procedural error had occurred, reversed the convictions, and remanded the case for a new trial. The new trial was scheduled to begin on September 30, but Toomes entered his guilty plea that morning.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Scott Kirk and Nina Seiler. The investigation was coordinated between the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, with Special Agent Cathy Ferguson as lead investigator, and the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department, with Sheriff Troy Klyce.

“This was a very sad tragedy for Don and Judy McKnight, who lost their beloved son to a senseless crime. It has been a very grueling twelve years for them through this lengthy judicial process. Although we can never replace their loss, at least they are able to find some closure knowing that Toomes will be incarcerated for his participation in this crime that resulted in the death of their son, and there is now an end to his continuous filing of appeals in this matter.”

– Frederick H. Agee, District Attorney General

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