LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The DJ accused of murder for shooting a server at a Louisville nightclub in 2021 instead pleaded guilty Tuesday to reckless homicide and tampering charges and accepted a sentence of 2 ½ years incarceration, which he has already served.

Ronnie O'Bannon had argued he was was acting in self-defense when he fatally shot 37-year-old Kasmira Nash in the early hours of May 1, 2021, at Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge. 

On Tuesday, the day his murder trial was scheduled to begin, O'Bannon accepted the plea agreement, with the prosecution noting it would be tough to prove he wasn't acting in self-defense. He was facing a possible sentence of life in prison. 

O'Bannon was sentenced to 2 ½ years for reckless homicide and 2 ½ years for tampering with physical evidence, which were to be served at the same time. But O'Bannon has been in jail or home incarceration since the shooting, meaning he has already served out his sentence and will be released.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Ebert Haegele said after the hearing that besides having to prove O'Bannon wasn't acting in self-defense, a key witness had been charged in another shooting and was not available for trial.

"Obviously, this was not the result we wanted," he said. "It was important to hold him accountable, hold him responsible. He is now a convicted felon."

Haegele told Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Ann Bailey Smith that while Nash's family is not happy with the result, they understand the reasoning for the plea.

Attorney Steve Romines, who represents O'Bannon, said "it was a clear case of self-defense and the jury likely would have acquitted him, but you can't risk 20 (years) to life with the opportunity to walk out."

Crime scene tape surrounds Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge on River Road

Crime scene tape surrounds Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge on River Road after a shooting Saturday, May 1, 2021. (WDRB photo) 

Romines has claimed Nash "violently attacked" O'Bannon twice while he was at the club with his friends, including rapper Jack Harlow, an assault corroborated by video and witnesses.

O'Bannon, who also goes by "Ronnie Lucciano," was a DJ for Harlow, who performed at the nightclub on Derby Eve, and just a few feet away from the shooting.

Nash, according to court records, picked up a large bottle of alcohol, grabbed the back of O'Bannon's clothing and struck him in the head with the bottle at least twice.

She then forced her way onto the stage where she advanced towards O'Bannon "and began physically attacking (him) a second time from atop the stage, prompting him to discharge the firearm," according to records.

O'Bannon believed he needed to use physical force to protect himself and should be immune from prosecution, Romines has argued.

Prosecutors had argued O'Bannon admitted to shooting a handgun in a crowded nightclub, killing Nash, a mother of two.

An investigation by the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control concluded Nash, who was not working that night, believed O'Bannon shot and killed her friend at a Shively club.

O'Bannon was not charged with any other shooting. 

This story may be updated. 

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