A Stockton man accused of unintentionally shooting and killing his mother on New Year’s Day pleaded guilty to lesser charges Monday.
In an amended complaint from January, Jkwon Williams, 20, was charged with the second-degree murder of Latoya Scrivens – who is his mother.
At Monday’s hearing William’s preliminary hearing was set to take place, but instead the prosecution said the case was going to be resolved. The defendant had requested and was granted permission to withdraw his initial plea of not guilty.
Prosecutor Janet Smith told San Joaquin County Superior Judge Xapuri Villapudua that the basis for the charge amendment was in the interest of justice.
Count 1 which was originally a charge of second-degree manslaughter was pleaded down to one count of voluntary manslaughter. Additionally, there was one enhancement of William’s using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
At the hearing, Williams entered a guilty plea to the voluntary manslaughter charge and admitted to the enhancement. The defendant took a few moments before saying yes to accepting the plea of killing his mother.
Villapudua said the most years the charges carried was 21, but Williams now faces a nine year sentence. Six years for voluntary manslaughter and three years for the enhancement.
When released, he would be on parole for roughly four years, Villapudua said.
A negligent discharge of firearm
The Stockton Police Department had said officers responded to the shooting at about 11 a.m. in the 2400 block of Gareth Circle.
Scriven, 47, was found at the scene suffering from a gunshot wound, police said. She was taken to a hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Detectives said they identified Williams as the suspect following an investigation.
Smith said during the court hearing that law enforcement had collected a video of Williams, his mother, and a third person in a vehicle before the shooting happened.
Williams was in the backseat and his mother was in the front passenger seat.
Smith said Williams was loading and unloading a firearm. He had expressed having difficulties with the firearm.
Williams’ mother and the person in the driver seat had told the defendant to stop playing with the firearm.
The gun ended up shooting through the passenger seat and striking his mother in the heart.
Scriven got out of the vehicle and said, “You shot me,” before collapsing.
Smith said Williams had left the scene to go to the hospital with his mother.
The prosecution said when modifying the charges they took into consideration Williams age, his mother, and his past juvenile history.
A hearing was set for Dec. 29 for sentencing and firearms relinquishment compliance.
Some members in the gallery cried as the hearing proceeded.
When the hearing concluded, Williams turned back to the people in attendance and waved. Many of them shouted back, “We love you.”
Following Williams’ arrest and at his first court appearance, many family members said on social media that the shooting was an accident.
Social media posts from family members said the son and mother had a close bond.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton man charged with fatally shooting mother on New Year’s Day pleads to lesser charges
Reporting by Victoria Franco, The Stockton Record / The Record
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