Family of murder victim in ‘love triangle' speaks out about guilty verdict
HOUSTON COUNTY, Ala. (WDHN) — After over two years of dwelling in pain of their loved one being murdered, the Poke family says the nightmare is over after Brent Guilford who was facing capital murder in the death of Lashawn Poke was found guilty by Houston County jurors.
'I was pleased how it came out,' Dorothy Poke said. 'It was some hurtful things I saw, seen, and heard I didn't know but I feel like justice was served.'
The murder happened in November one day after Thanksgiving in 2022 on Sunset Drive near Taylor at the home of Poke and his girlfriend they dated and lived together for about six months — but she was still legally married to Guilford.
Poke's family said that on Thanksgiving, Guilford was mad that his wife, who had previously filed a protection from abuse order against him, was ignoring him all day and night while she was with Poke. So, he went to their house in the early morning hours, found his wife and Poke sleeping, and decided to take his frustration out by shooting Poke nine times.
Guilford had been living at the house while Poke was serving time in community corrections — yet, he didn't know they were still together
Poke's sister said it was a difficult few days seeing the pictures of their loved one dead and learning about the nature of the crime.
'The way and the manner he did it he knew he killed him and shot him in the head and then proceeded to do it more I just ran out of the courtroom seeing it,' She said. 'It's like I lost him all over again.'
Poke said Guilford showed no remorse during any of the court hearings.
'He just smiled and smirked he knew he killed my brother and acted like nothing happened,' She added.
Poke said her brother was a father of nine trying to turn his life around, he was not a violent person, he had a happy spirit and didn't like drama.
'Lashawn was a good nephew, and respectful I never heard anything bad when I came home that he was getting into,' Charles Pruitt said.
Now that their loved one's murderer was found guilty, they are anxiously waiting for his sentencing.
'I feel like he needs the death penalty nobody deserves to be done like that it was a heinous crime,' She said.
Guilford will be sentenced on April 2nd at 9 a.m. at the Houston County Courthouse.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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