Mich. man pleads no contest to killing Ala. teen

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October 23, 2009

Anonymous The News Courier Fri Oct 23, 2009, 09:21 AM CDT

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan teen has pleaded no contest to shooting and killing a 14-year-old from Alabama outside a Pontiac church.

Eighteen-year-old James Cecil Willis III of Pontiac pleaded no contest Thursday to second-degree murder and felony firearm.

Police say Willis was a member of the Goon Squad gang and was involved in crashing a birthday party at a Pontiac church in 2008. Willis is accused of firing into a crowd outside the church, killing Dawan Allan-France Roberson of Akron, Ala.

Under a plea agreement, Willis will be sent to prison for 17 to 35 years on the murder charge at his Nov. 18 sentencing in Oakland County Circuit Court.

Defense attorney Mitchell Ribitwer tells The Oakland Press the plea was negotiated with prosecutors Wednesday.

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