Jury convicts Chattanooga man of murder in son-in-law's shooting death

Glen Allen Donaldson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Glen Allen Donaldson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

A 57-year-old Chattanooga man has been convicted in his son-in-law's 2016 death.

After deliberating five hours Friday, a Hamilton County jury said Glen Donaldson was guilty of second-degree murder for shooting his son-in-law, Kenneth Adam Levi, 39, in the back Dec. 29, 2016.

photo Glen Donaldson

Donaldson faces 15-25 years in prison when he is sentenced July 12 before Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Don Poole, one of his defense attorneys, Jerry Summers said. Donaldson was originally charged with first- degree murder and will remain in local custody until that time, Summers said.

Prosecutors said Donaldson called 911 around 9 p.m. and told authorities that Levi was at the kitchen sink and turned to threaten him with a knife. In fear of his life, Donaldson told the operator, he shot Levi. According to a sheriff's office affidavit, Donaldson had gone to Levi's residence on Niles Terrace that night to pick up a bed rail, as Donaldson's daughter and Levi were going through a divorce.

But prosecutors said crime scene officers never found a knife at Levi's house. "And the gunshot wound to the victim was inconsistent with a self-defense shot," the affidavit says.

Donaldson took the witness stand in his defense and told jurors the same story.

He testified he was trying to "push buttons" to make Levi get help, according to a report from Chattanoogan.com. Donaldson said his daughter had evidence she would use against Levi regarding custody rights in their divorce, and that she'd paid for a 17-panel drug test to be done. As he prepared to leave for the night, Donaldson said Levi's demeanor began to change after he asked Levi if he thought his drug use could have anything to do with deformities of their stillborn son, the report says.

"We appreciate the personal sacrifices made by each juror," Melydia Clewell, a spokeswoman for local prosecutors, said Tuesday, "and sincerely thank them for their service."

Contact staff writer Zack Peterson at zpeterson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347. Follow him on Twitter @zackpeterson918.

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