Caleb Kennedy timeline: From American Idol to felony DUI charge, jail, after fatal wreck

► November 2020: Caleb Kennedy hopes to join Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, and other musicians who have been crowned winners of the reality TV series "American Idol."

The 16-year-old Dorman High School student was invited to audition in front of the judges – Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan – on Oct. 28 during a Zoom call with the show's producers. Caleb performed “Can’t You See” by the Marshall Tucker Band and “When It Rains It Pours” by Luke Combs for the producers.

► March 29, 2021: The American Idol competition is well under way. The Showstopper round aired Sunday night, and had singers showcasing their talents by performing with a live band. Spartanburg's Kennedy made it to the top 24.

► May 10 2021: Kennedy advanced into the Top 5 with two soulful performances during the airing of American Idol. The 16-year-old Dorman student from Roebuck is now only one show away from the three-hour finale on May 23.

► May 12, 2021: Kennedy left American Idol and returned to Spartanburg after a social media post surfaced. Kennedy appears in the Snapchat post seated beside someone wearing what appears to be a Ku Klux Klan hood. Kennedy's family said the video was recorded when he was 12-years-old.

More: Spartanburg residents see Snapchat video involving Caleb Kennedy as teachable moment

► Feb. 8 2022: Kennedy faced charges after a fatal wreck near Pacolet. The S.C. Highway Patrol charged the 17-year-old with felony DUI resulting in the death of Larry Duane Parris, 54, according to Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway and jail records.

► Feb. 9 2022: Bond was denied for Kennedy. Parris, a 54-year-old boat repairman, died after being run over by Kennedy's Ford pickup truck in his private driveway, according to 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette. Kennedy was under the influence of marijuana at the time, according to the arrest warrant by the S.C. Highway Patrol.

► Feb. 24, 2022: A bond hearing for Kennedy was continued pending results of a blood test, Circuit Court Judge Edward Miller ruled. Kennedy is being held without bond at the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

► March 10,2022: Circuit Court Judge Daniel Dewitt Hall declined to consider bond for Kennedy. The judge determined a full toxicology report has not been received as a previous judge ruled. During the hearing, Parris's widow and daughter gave tear-filled statements, requesting that bond continue to be denied.

► April 13, 2022: Kennedy's attorney is in possession of the toxicology report and has requested a bond hearing April 28.

► April 28, 2022: No decision on bond was made by the judge overseeing the felony DUI death case involving former American Idol contestant Caleb Kennedy of Roebuck. At a bond hearing requested by Kennedy's attorney Ryan Beasley, 7th Circuit Court Judge Grace Gilchrist Knie said she will deliberate before sending her decision by email to 7th Circuit Court Solicitor Barry Barnette and Beasley.

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Caleb Kennedy timeline: From American Idol to felony DUI charge, jail