Plea deals were reached Monday morning in Christian Circuit Court for three perpetrators in a January, 2019 attempted robbery and fatal shooting on Bethel Street.
Twent-three-year-old James Yates pled guilty to complicity to first-degree burglary, complicity to first-degree robbery and to unlawful transaction with a minor. His deal comes with a recommended 10-year sentence and he must serve eight and a half years before becoming eligible for parole.
One of the juveniles in the case, 16-year old Gary Zivotin, pled guilty to second-degree assault and first-degree robbery. His recommended sentence will be 15 years and he must serve 85 percent before becoming parole eligible. His final sentencing was set for March 17. He allegedly shot Dylan Stewart in the leg during the incident.
Twenty-one-year-old Lane Carter pled guilty to facilitation to first-degree burglary and facilitation to first-degree robbery. His deal comes with a recommended 10-year sentence, of which he’d have to serve two years before becoming parole eligible. His attorney said she will be filing a motion to reduce bond while he awaits formal sentencing.
Two other juveniles in the case, Tia Ochs and Madison Wilson, pled guilty last year to facilitation to robbery in deals that came with five-year sentences.
The suspect accused of fatally shooting Corvyan Thomas, 27-year old Shakkory Willis, also appeared in circuit court Monday. Attorney Eric Bearden says negotiations have been had for a potential deal for Willis, but they haven’t been fruitful as of yet.
Willis is charged with murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and unlawful transaction with a minor.
All of the co-defendants have agreed to testify at a trial for Willis, should it make it that far.