SOUTH BEND — Shawn Alexander, a 16-year-old South Bend boy accused of slicing the throats of two other teens last fall, pleaded guilty today to four felony charges.
His sentencing is scheduled for 11 a.m., July 26. The terms of his plea agreement were not publicly available today, but the crimes carry a maximum sentence of 116 years, or a minimum of 20.
Alexander had been expected to enter a guilty plea Monday but backed out at the last minute after refusing to admit that he knew slicing the throats of his victim had a substantial risk of causing death. Today, he fully admitted guilt.
Alexander’s cousin, Demajio Ellis, also was charged in the incident and pleaded guilty in March. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 22.
Ellis and Alexander told their victims, ages 15 and 16, they were gang members of the "Vice Lords." They slashed the throats of their victims and then left them bleeding on the ground after trying to rob them.
At the time, Alexander was out of police custody on bond, awaiting trial for robbing an area gas station with a shotgun.
Ellis was awaiting sentencing on a felony resisting law enforcement case.
Staff writer Mary Kate Malone:
mmalone@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6337
His sentencing is scheduled for 11 a.m., July 26. The terms of his plea agreement were not publicly available today, but the crimes carry a maximum sentence of 116 years, or a minimum of 20.
Alexander had been expected to enter a guilty plea Monday but backed out at the last minute after refusing to admit that he knew slicing the throats of his victim had a substantial risk of causing death. Today, he fully admitted guilt.
Alexander’s cousin, Demajio Ellis, also was charged in the incident and pleaded guilty in March. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 22.
Ellis and Alexander told their victims, ages 15 and 16, they were gang members of the "Vice Lords." They slashed the throats of their victims and then left them bleeding on the ground after trying to rob them.
At the time, Alexander was out of police custody on bond, awaiting trial for robbing an area gas station with a shotgun.
Ellis was awaiting sentencing on a felony resisting law enforcement case.
Staff writer Mary Kate Malone:
mmalone@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6337
