A man once accused in the fatal shooting of two Milwaukee teenagers on Christmas Day is no longer facing homicide charges, but will likely spend some time behind bars.
Jury selection was supposed to get underway on June 23, in Quintarez Morris’ homicide trial.
He and Jeremiah N. Taylor, each were charged in January with two counts of first-degree reckless homicide as a party to a crime in the shooting deaths of Nayah Vasquez, 18, and Exziel Rivera, 15.
Just moments before potential jurors were vetted in Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey A. Wagner’s courtroom, Morris, 18, of Milwaukee, instead pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a felon, a charge that carries a much lighter prison sentence.
Taylor, who prosecutors believe pulled the trigger, remains on the loose some seven months after the shooting.
What is the difference between the charges?
In Wisconsin, first-degree intentional homicide is a Class B felony that carries a maximum sentence of up to 60 years in prison.
On the other hand, the penalty for harboring or aiding a felon can vary, depending on the severity of the underlying felony committed by the person being aided. A class G felony carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.
Here’s how court papers say things unfolded that morning
Milwaukee police investigators relied on surveillance footage from multiple cameras to piece together events that led up to the shooting.
According to a criminal complaint, surveillance cameras recorded footage of a white Kia parking on 37th Street just before the intersection with Scott Street.
At some point, a black Malibu that was traveling on Scott crossed the intersection and a light-skinned male leaned out of the front passenger window. That person fired a gun multiple times at the Kia before speeding off.
Neighbors came out to help the dying victims around 11:25 a.m. after hearing gunshots.
Exziel died at the scene. Nayah was taken to a hospital, where she died.
Were Exziel and Navah ambushed during a drug deal?
Thirteen spent 10 mm casings were recovered at the scene.
Investigators said one of men in the car with Nayah and Exziel had earlier arranged to buy marijuana from another man before the shooting occurred.
The Malibu was later found burned in Dineen Park, on West Vienna Avenue.
Klabunde said investigators spoke to the owner of the Malibu, who was Morris’ aunt. She told them Morris had been using the vehicle and was in the process of buying it from her, according to the complaint.
What’s next for Morris?
Morris remains in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail, online records show.
He will be sentenced July 8.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man pleads guilty in deadly Christmas Day shooting; shooter still on the loose
Reporting by Chris Ramirez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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