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Goynes Sentenced For Killing Aaron Lofton Save Email Print
Teen murdered in 2007 while walking with mother
Posted: 3:03 PM Jul 1, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:07 PM Jul 1, 2008
 Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
40 comments
A | A | A

Daunte Goynes was sentenced Tuesday to 60 years to life in prison for last year's shooting death of 18-year-old Aaron Lofton.

The 19-year-old got an additional 10-20 years for use of a weapon to commit a felony. He will be eligible for parole in 35 years.

Goynes and Lofton got into a fight while Lofton was walking with his mother at 41st and Hamilton on February 23, 2007. Goynes pulled a gun and shot Lofton in the back as Lofton was running away.

"He still has bad dreams about the day it happened, but he's not going to apologize no more,” says Tiffany Nash, Daunte’s mother. “He done already repent to God, so I just told him to let it go.”

Letting it go proved to be difficult for Eric Lofton. Overcome with frustration and the loss of his brother, he ignored an order from deputies and had to be restrained. The Lofton family was too upset to comment.

Douglas County prosecutor Don Kleine told Channel 6 News the sentence sends a stern message.

"I think it's a very appropriate sentence. I thought the judge sent a very strong message and that message is that our community and the system is not going to tolerate this kind of nonsensical, crazy violence. The defendant's not even going to be eligible to possibly get out for another 35 years, at a minimum."

Goynes’ mother tells Channel 6 News they plan to appeal.
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Posted by: NAY on Jul 10, 2008 at 02:48 PM
It just amazes me at all the comments you people about a person you dont even know.yes daunte was wrong for killing aaron and my prayers does go out to the lofton family. But let me just say this daunte is not the person all of you are making him out to be anybody who knows daunte well know that this aint him thats not even his character but when you get caught up with the wrong people this is what happens and thats just what it was daunte got caught up with the wrong people whether any of you belieive it or not i really dont care but please dont comment on someone that none of you know is all im saying!!!!!!!
Posted by: Amanda on Jul 8, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Daunte got what he deserved. He took the life of my best friend, he was only 18 yrs. old. You cant go around shooting people just because you two were from different hoods does not mean any thing. We finally have justice, but him being in jail will not bring aaron back! We lost alot when he took aaron's life. He didnt lose any thing but the streets. We lost everything. I agree with what someone said down below.. [Mrs. Goynes...your boy has a lot to apologize for and quite frankly no one cares if he has bad dreams. I'm sure his self-pity is nothing compared to the loss felt by the Lofton family!] No one cares how he feels. He didn't seem to care when he pulled out that gun and took someones life in front of his own mother. He will have time to think about what he did in 35 years, he wont have any kids, & he might be in prison all his life, when & IF he gets out, nobody's going to want a murderer that had to kill someone in front of their mother. Hes cold hearted! Have fun!!
Posted by: a on Jul 3, 2008 at 07:10 PM
See what happens when a witness comes foward. A bad person goes to jail for a long time.
Posted by: BW on Jul 3, 2008 at 01:47 PM
I just wish this country could come together and find away to change the way our young men think! My heart goes out to both families as now 2 children have been lost. No mother should have to bury a child, that is not the way God intended it to be! I am also glad the this young man was sentenced for the murder of Aaron as no one has the right to take a life! But the bittersweet ending to this is that another mother has had her child taken from her! My heart goes out to you both. I do not blame the mother of this young man-she is yet another victim in this tragic story! Please help us teach our children that there is no place for violence, and that killing is wrong! If you must fight do so with your fists not weapons! Mrs. Loften, my prayers are with you as you have sufferred more than any mother should ever have to suffer! To the rest of Omaha, young men are not "thugs" they are someone's child who has made a bad decision or 2. Most of them are just trying to survive! Pray for them!
Posted by: abc on Jul 3, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Nice Laura, I like that
Posted by: kam on Jul 3, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I am happy he is paying for his crime but it will never bring Aaron back. My prayers go to Mrs Lofton, God has given her a lot to bear in the last few years. She is a very strong woman. These boys grew up together you know. They went to elementary school together. Daunte was no angel and I doubt God had anything to do with it before. Yes you can blame the parents but the fact is kids have pressure outside of their home life to act tough and be a thug or get bullied. I'm not saying that parents aren't to blame but we need to come together as a community and show a different side of life! It doesn't matter where you live, your children still see the same things. Only difference is if your dad's a DR. it's fun to be a thug; but if your mom works 2 jobs to survive it's survival to be a thug because they have money. People need to get their heads out of the sand and quit thinking it'll never happen to me! Thank you to the courts.
Posted by: laura on Jul 2, 2008 at 10:22 PM
To Norf-O and Anonymous: you will either end up behind bars like Goynes or in a grave like Lofton. You haven't the brains to pour sand out of a boot with directions on the heel, if you think this is any way to live one's life or raise one's family. The same goes to all your "brothas" in the "hood", be it North, South, East or West Omaha. I hope the city attorney and decent judges put you ALL away.
Posted by: LS on Jul 2, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Come on Ms. Goynes...I know he's your baby boy but he has to be accountable for his own choices...good or bad. Maybe he wouldnt have done it if u taught him responsibilty and to be accountable for his choices. That's why much of this crazy violance happens anyway.
Posted by: Dan on Jul 2, 2008 at 01:24 PM
As a parent, Mrs. Goynes comment about her son has repented and doesn't need to apologize anymore sickens me. It is obvious from her comment that Mrs. Goynes is a callous woman who has raised callous children with no empathy for others. She truly does not seem to understand the empact of her son's actions and the immense cost to the Lofton family. Her son is in jail, but he is alive. Poor Mrs. Lofton has a grave to visit thanks to the Goynes family!
Posted by: Delancey on Jul 2, 2008 at 01:15 PM
This was justice, pure and simple. Goynes was not defending himself, he shot Aaron in the back in cold blood. I am thankful that Aaron's mother and family were able to receive justice for this tragic loss! Mrs. Goynes...your boy has a lot to apologize for and quite frankly no one cares if he has bad dreams. I'm sure his self-pity is nothing compared to the loss felt by the Lofton family!
Posted by: Lisa on Jul 2, 2008 at 01:06 PM
"He still has bad dreams about the day it happened, but he's not going to apologize no more,” says Tiffany Nash, Daunte’s mother. “He done already repent to God, so I just told him to let it go.” Daunte and his mother obviously do not understand the concept of forgiveness or making reparations for your actions. I'm glad he will have at least 35 years to think about it. He has not basis for appeal -- if anything his sentence should be longer.
Posted by: Bump on Jul 2, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Appeal? Some people have no shame... You shoot someone and kill them, you deal with the consequences. I don't care who you are. Just because someone might want to beat you up or whatever does not give the right to blast them with a gun.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 2, 2008 at 12:11 PM
You piece of crap. I hope you rot away and die in prison. let this be a lesson to you other thug pieces of trash gang members
Posted by: marie on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:52 AM
First of all anyone who spells North O NorfO is an idiot. He was not protecting himself and if you truly believe that you need to seek mental help. Daunte deserves what he got he should never come up for parole. Daunte mom should be ashamed of herself talking about an appeal your son is a killer and you raised him.I could care less how the Goynes family feel b/c they dont matter. They can go visit Daunte in jail, they can write him,on the other hand the Lofton family has to visit a grave site. Now you tell me where the justice is in that.
Posted by: Vinny on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:48 AM
What on earth is this? HE KILLED THIS KID FOR NO GOOD REASON..Why does he get paroled after 35 years of 3 square meals? Daunte Goynes is a Coward and deserves the ELECTRIC CHAIR.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Of course they are going to appeal he was such a good kid. Probably just had a few bad friends is all. Who has to foot the bills when someone appeals is it taxpayers or the person making the appeal?
Posted by: llr on Jul 2, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Good riddance. I hope Mrs. Lofton lives a long, long life so she can go to this jerk's parole hearing everytime he comes up and recount what she witnessed during the cowardly shooting of her son in the BACK. THEN maybe he'll serve the whole 60 years. Which will pretty much make him and old, old man when and IF he gets out alive.
Posted by: Georgia on Jul 2, 2008 at 09:24 AM
To Erin: Your hope that others will learn from this stupidity probably will not be possible. There is enough evidence out there to show the thugs that this doesn't pay, but they ignore it and just commit more and more crimes. Some humans just have to learn for themselves.
Posted by: DJ on Jul 2, 2008 at 08:56 AM
He wasn't playing with guns, he took a life it's not like it was an accident and he made a mistake. He straight up shot point blank at the other guys back. THAT IS CALLED COLD BLOODED MURDER
Posted by: d.l. on Jul 2, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Its really sad that our society has resulted to killing people when they can't win a fight. I wonder what kind of home setting Goynes had been raised in for him to have no value for life ? also another family member(Tenille Goynes/murder) has killed, so it really makes you wonder Hmmm! For his mother(Goynes) to say he has already repent to God ? you as a parent you need to repent ,what were you doing when the kids were growing up ? I wonder. God will deal with this mess (Goynes) . Ms Lofton please keep your head up and on , my prayers are with you and yours. I pray God to give you strength @ all times you are a strong woman may God be with you !!
Posted by: Taylor on Jul 2, 2008 at 08:23 AM
To Norf O, protecting himself from what? Please that sorry self defense case he got what he deserves these young people need to stop and if your going to fight fine fight with your hands not with guns this is a GREAT example of what can happen to you when you decide to play with guns and kill some one your going to go to Jail for it...."he is done apologizing and he has already repent to God"..You shouldn't run to God just because you got yourself into some trouble I’m pretty sure he never said one word to God before this happened. JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED.
Posted by: A Concerned Parent on Jul 2, 2008 at 08:05 AM
It's easy to say someone was a good person after they're gone and it's even easier to say someone is bad person when they do wrong,however, neither of these children had clean slates. I witnessed parents encouraging their children to fight. Parents challenging school officials in regard to their child's behavior and parents who could careless about their children's whereabouts. As parents we must decide, are we raising are kids to live or die. As long as thee children remain without disciplin, education, and love, we can expect these instances to keep occuring. As a community, when will we say ENOUGH? My heart goes out to both families because who knows what these young men could have become.
Posted by: ACJ on Jul 2, 2008 at 07:22 AM
I personally feel sorry for Eric Lofton,not only has this been hard for his mom but I'm sure for Eric also, his mom still has a son (Eric) but Eric no longer has his brothers to hang out with just to talk to, I'm sure that's very hard emotionally! Not to forget his medical issues..this is really sad tears are boiling in my eyes as I write, my heart really goes out to Eric..I'm sure Eric will grow to be an awesome person.I quietly watch Eric with his mom last week at a local resturant and I knew then Eric will become a sucessful person. To have endured so much. He's special. Eric will set the example that his brothers would be so proud of, and know that Eric has many people who are very touch by his endurance,if I had the money I would send Eric on a very long vacation. So he can relax! This thug is long gone....He's a coward! We have Eric and that's fine with me. Good Look Eric!
Posted by: B on Jul 2, 2008 at 12:52 AM
He'll turn his life around in prison. In a couple of years we'll see a news story, telling us what a nice young man he is now and how he found religion and that he should be let out. Personally, I hope this punk buy's it in the joint!
Posted by: ANON on Jul 1, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Thats right, apologizing isn't getting him anywhere is it. Sounds like he's pullin the pity card. I hope this sets a good example. 60 years to life is a long time for playing with guns.
Posted by: Jon on Jul 1, 2008 at 06:34 PM
Nobody so far has mentioned his Mother. She plans to appeal. She says he made his peace with God. That's all that matters. Good enough for me, lady. What if it were your son who was murdered in cold blood in front of your eyes? Would you be as forgiving? I also wonder where a person sociopathic enough to take a life gets the idea this is O.K. (As long as you ask Gods forgiveness, I suppose)? Norfo (if that's your real name) the justice is a simple lesson. Don't kill, you won't lose your life...one way or the other.
Posted by: LeShawn on Jul 1, 2008 at 06:28 PM
NorfO-How does shooting someone in the back count as self defense? Get a job get a life.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 1, 2008 at 05:04 PM
u people need to stop talking he in jail for a good 35 a least let it be u do not know he's wrap sheet and that does not even matter go about your little lives.
Posted by: A Mom on Jul 1, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Because of one "stupid" mistake one life is no longer and the other has no life. Yes justice needs to be served but why couldn't this be prevented. I pray for the Lofton family as well as the Goynes.
Posted by: Jen on Jul 1, 2008 at 04:07 PM
hey NorfO- shooting someone in the street is protecting yourself? After the fist fight Daunte could have walked away if he was so scared- but no he had to be a punk and pull a gun. He deserved the death penalty for this crime! Let him rot!
Posted by: Anon on Jul 1, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Nice to see justice served for taking a young life. Hope this trend continues.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 1, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Maybe Nebraska should look at what the prison system is like in Arizona. Chain gangs, baloney three times a day and the prisoners pay for thier meals, no weights or porn, and only two TV channels (Disney and the Weather Channel). Maybe people would think twice before taking another's life if they didn't get to lay around and have better medical care than our senior citizens.
Posted by: k on Jul 1, 2008 at 03:55 PM
I hope you die in prison. You need to make peace with God and yourself. You stupid fool
Posted by: BillJ on Jul 1, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Have fun in prison. How cool are you now? You are probably not smart enough to know the answer...So I will tell you...NOT SO MUCH!
Posted by: Jenny on Jul 1, 2008 at 03:51 PM
thats too bad these kids are doing this these days. I am happy to see him behind bars, he is a killer! My heart goes out to Lofton family
Posted by: ricochet000 on Jul 1, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Goodbye, Thug!!!
Posted by: T on Jul 1, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Should have been longer on the range of the sentencing so his parole eligibility would have occured later. The kid had a wrap sheet a mile long. Glad his sorry butt is off the street though...one less loser on the streets.
Posted by: NorfO on Jul 1, 2008 at 03:38 PM
60 years to Life for PROTECTING HIMSELF? Where is the justice in that?
Posted by: 55 on Jul 1, 2008 at 03:18 PM
It warms me inside to see the filth of society rot in prison.
Posted by: Erin on Jul 1, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Hopefully they will keep him the full 60...he is a murderer...not a great big loss to society. Maybe others will learn from his stupidity.
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