SMITHFIELD – Family members of two victims took the stand Friday in the sentencing hearing of Joshua Stewart, in a case which has become known as the “Lizard Lick Shootings.” Alex Shirley, son of the Lizard Lick Towing TV reality show, was killed, and his friend, Sophie Hagy paralyzed in the 2022 shooting outside of Clayton.
Sophie was described by her father, Jack Hagy, as a very giving child growing up, who always insisted on helping others in need.
Joshua Stewart, the 20 year-old former gang-member defendant had already pled guilty to murder and attempted murder of the two young people near Clayton. Stewart agreed to a plea deal and received the maximum sentence of 33 to 38 years behind bars.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Lock listened intently to the highly emotional words of family members of both victims and the mother of the defendant…