GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A plea deal has been reached with a teenager charged with a murder outside a west-side pharmacy, avoiding a trial planned for Tuesday.
Jeremiah Robinson, now 17, is expected to plead no contest to three counts, including second-degree reckless homicide, for the shooting outside the Walgreens on the corner of Oneida and Mason Streets on Feb. 18, 2022. Robinson is expected to enter those pleas May 18.
Trial on 11 counts, including first-degree intentional homicide, was scheduled to start Tuesday.
Instead of facing a mandatory life prison term, if he were convicted of intentional homicide, the maximum sentence for second-degree reckless homicide is 25 years in prison.
Prosecutors will argue for 15 years of prison time, followed by 10 years of extended supervision. The defense can argue for whatever sentence it deems appropriate.
In Wisconsin, those between 10 and 16 years of age and charged with certain homicide counts, including first-degree intentional homicide, are prosecuted in adult court.
While a deal has been reached, Deputy District Attorney Dana Johnson said Monday both sides want to review the details to make sure the plea is taken properly, as not all homicide counts have original adult court jurisdiction for juveniles.
Several pre-trial motions by the defense — including one to have the case moved to juvenile court, and another for his statements to police not to be allowed at trial — were rejected by the judge.
Robinson, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, 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.
