A 23-year-old Illinois man pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to rob a Lincoln man who was killed in a botched home-invasion robbery last August.
Derick Lewis of Alton originally faced a first-degree murder charge in the August death of Maurice Williams, but prosecutors agreed to dismiss that charge in exchange for his guilty plea to conspiracy to commit robbery.
Joshua Carr, 20, is set for trial later this month for first-degree murder in Williams' death, plus charges of attempted robbery, use of a firearm to commit a felony and possession of a stolen firearm.
At a hearing Tuesday, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Bruce Prenda said police believe Lewis and Carr burst into 21-year-old Williams’ apartment at LionsGate Apartments early on Aug. 30 to rob him, Carr and Lewis each armed with a rifle. A couple of minutes later, he said, Williams was shot in the chest, allegedly during a struggle with Carr.
People are also reading…
Prenda said a third man, Joshua Holmes, planned the robbery and let Lewis and Carr into the locked apartment complex at 5062 R St. He since has pleaded no contest to being an accessory to robbery.
“Do you have any basic disagreement with the facts?†Lancaster County District Judge Steven Burns asked Lewis on Tuesday.
“No, sir,†Lewis answered.
He faces up to 50 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 10.
Derick Lewis
Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter .
Lori Pilger
Courts reporter
