1 of 2 men, accused of shooting man, dumping him from vehicle on Miller Park Way pleads guilty

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- The second of two men, charged in connection with a shooting that happened on Miller Park Way in January has reached a plea deal in the case against him.

31-year-old Kristopher James on Monday, November 21st pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver THC (greater than 200-1,000 grams), conspiracy, as party to a crime.

James will be sentenced on January 10th.

The second man charged in this case, 28-year-old Kenneth Whitmore, pleaded guilty to the same charge in October.

He will be sentenced on November 22nd.

Milwaukee County Sheriff's officials said a man was robbed, shot and pushed from a vehicle on January 11th around 11:00 p.m. on Miller Park Way.

 

Officers were dispatched to the area near Interstate 41 and the off-ramp to Miller Park Way.

Officials said the 21-year-old victim was shot in the back by a passenger in a vehicle while struggling with another passenger who had pointed a gun at him in an attempt to rob him.

A criminal complaint said it was James who was in the front passenger seat, who pointed the gun at the victim, asking for the victim's money. The victim refused to hand over his money, and Whitmore said: "Just give it to him. He's going to kill you."

A struggle ensued when the victim grabbed the gun with both hands.

The gun was fired during the struggle, and a window of the vehicle was shattered.

The complaint said Whitmore then pointed a handgun at the victim's back, and told him to let go of the revolver. When he didn't let go, Whitmore shot the victim in the back.

The complaint then accuses Whitmore of going through the victim's pockets -- taking $80 to $90.

The vehicle pulled over, and James pulled the victim out of the vehicle and left him on the side of the road, according to the complaint.

The victim suffered a gunshot wound to his back that left him unable to move his legs.

The victim told officials he got into the vehicle initially to buy marijuana. The victim told police he came upon the men, and they told him they could drive him to get some marijuana.

He was able to identify the suspects via a photo array.

Witness interviews led to the arrest of the two suspects.