PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — A Floyd County jury has recommended a 20-year sentence for a man who shot and killed another man near the Auxier bridge one year ago.

Larry Johnson, 68, of Auxier, was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter on Wednesday, for the shooting death of Steven Adkins, 48, of Prestonsburg.

Witnesses testified that Johnson was driving along the bridge on April 25, 2025, when he spotted Adkins.
Johnson got out of his car and approached Adkins, and the two began fighting. Afterwards, Johnson retrieved his gun from his car and shot Adkins.

The jury had five options in the case — finding Johnson not guilty or guilty of murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter or reckless homicide. By finding him guilty of first-degree manslaughter, the jury determined that Johnson did not have a legitimate excuse of self-defense.

After finding Johnson guilty of the second-most serious charge he was facing, the jury then recommended the maximum penalty for the charge — 20 years.

Johnson will be back in court June 4 for formal sentencing.