MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Tennessee man has been sentenced to 150 years in prison after being convicted in the 2022 murders of a woman and an 80-year-old Lyft driver whom prosecutors said was killed while unknowingly helping the suspect flee the first crime.
On Wednesday, Joshua Gossett received the lengthy prison sentence following his convictions on two counts of first-degree murder and related firearm offenses.
The sentence stems from a violent chain of events that unfolded in Memphis on October 30, 2022, according to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Gossett first used the Lyft app to travel to the home of Shunish Baggett. After arriving, he allegedly shot and killed Baggett inside the residence.
Authorities said Gossett then opened the rideshare app again and requested another ride from the scene.
The request was accepted by Richard Skelskey, an 80-year-old Lyft driver who had no indication that the passenger he was picking up had just committed a homicide.
According to prosecutors, shortly after Skelskey picked him up, Gossett shot the elderly driver in the head, stole his vehicle, and fled the area. Skelskey later died from his injuries.
Investigators said the case was solved through a combination of surveillance footage, electronic forensic evidence, and Gossett’s digital activity.
During the trial, prosecutors presented testimony from 15 witnesses, dozens of exhibits, surveillance videos, and several hours of Gossett’s recorded statement to police.
Officials said the evidence created a detailed timeline of his movements before and after the shootings, helping jurors convict him on every charge.
Before sentencing, family members of both victims addressed the court through victim impact statements, describing the devastating loss caused by the killings.
Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett ultimately sentenced Gossett to a combined 150 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction, effectively ensuring he will spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
The case drew widespread attention because of the unusual and tragic circumstances surrounding the second killing. Prosecutors said Skelskey was simply performing his job as a rideshare driver when he unknowingly picked up a murder suspect attempting to escape.
The investigation also highlighted how digital records—including rideshare data, surveillance cameras, and electronic forensic evidence—can play a critical role in solving violent crimes.
With the sentencing now complete, prosecutors say the verdict brings a measure of justice for the families of both victims, though the impact of the crimes continues to be deeply felt throughout the Memphis community.
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