GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A teenager charged in a west-side murder testified Tuesday he didn’t understand his Miranda rights, but agreed he did sign the form waiving those rights – and denied other police requests during questioning. The judge is expected to issue a decision early next month.
Jeremiah Robinson, then 15, allegedly shot and killed a man outside of the Walgreens on the corner of Oneida and Mason Streets on Feb. 18, 2022. Trial is scheduled for April 25.
The defense requested to have Robinson’s statements to police ruled inadmissible for trial.
Robinson testified Tuesday this was the first time he had been read his Miranda rights. He said he didn’t understand them, and didn’t know he could ask for an attorney. But on cross examination, he was shown the forms he signed waiving his Miranda rights, and agreed it was his signature.
Robinson testified he did not let the officers look at his phone, and denied a police request to take a DNA sample. Green Bay Police Det. Kevin Kempf also testified Robinson denied consent for both.
Robinson said he asked Kempf to contact his aunt to tell him what to do or to get him an attorney. Kempf said he didn’t recall Robinson asking about an attorney at any point.
Assistant District Attorney Foss Davis argued Robinson waived his rights to talk to police, noting Robinson also understood his rights such that denied police requests to look at his phone and get the DNA sample.
But defense attorney Michael Balskus argued that, in the totality of the circumstances, because the suspect is a minor, the law requires specialized treatment which was not provided, and the statement were not voluntarily.
Judge Thomas Walsh is expected to issue a ruling on the Miranda hearing at an April 4 hearing.
According to the criminal complaint, Robinson and another man, Jeromy Finke, got into a confrontation with the victim and another man over money during a drug deal. Robinson told police he shot the victim in self-defense after being threatened with brass knuckles. Police have not named the 31-year-old victim, who was shot four times.
In Wisconsin, those between 10 and 16 years and charged with homicide are prosecuted in adult court. In December, Judge Thomas Walsh denied a request to have the case moved to juvenile court.
Robinson is being held on a $1 million cash bond.
