SENTENCED: Floyd Semons to serve time in prison in 2010 shooting death of James Cooper

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- He's one of four men charged in connection with the May 2010 death of James Cooper. Now, more than four years after the crime, Floyd Semons has been sentenced in the case against him.

22-year-old Semons initially faced a felony murder charge in the case. That charge was amended to attempted armed robbery with use of force as party to a crime -- a charge to which Semons pleaded guilty on November 17th of this year.

Semons was sentenced to 63 months in prison, and 24 months of extended supervision. He's been ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution.

Others charged in the case are:


    Robinson was initially charged with felony murder - armed robbery and first degree reckless homicide. Robinson pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second degree reckless homicide. An amended charge of armed robbery was dismissed. In November 2014, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and eight years of extended supervision. He was ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution.

    Lark was initially charged with felony murder. He pleaded guilty in November to an amended charge of armed robbery with use of force as party to a crime. Lark will be sentenced on Friday, December 5th.

    Hearn was initially charged with felony murder. He pleaded guilty in November to an amended charge of armed robbery with use of force as party to a crime.

    James Cooper was found dead of a gunshot wound in the 4700 block of N. 42nd Street on May 13th, 2010.

    The criminal complaint says on December 2nd, 2011, Floyd Semons told officials he was picked up by Donovan Robinson — and that the two had agreed to do a robbery together.

    Semons told officials Robinson had a gun, and gave Semons a gun for the robbery.

    The two had planned to rob a home they believed had about $39,000 inside, according to the complaint.

    The two entered the home through a backdoor, and discovered Cooper lying on the bed with a handgun near him. Then, the complaint says Robinson told Cooper to put the gun down, but he did not comply with that request. The complaint says Robinson fired a shot at Cooper, and the two began exchanging gunfire.

    Robinson and Semons ran from the property without obtaining any property.

    Robinson was arrested on June 7th, 2013.

    Robinson told police he was present when Cooper was killed, as was Semons, Robert Hearn and Jawanza Lark. Robinson told police he knew Cooper was a heroin dealer and could be robbed. Robinson told officials he had learned this information from Hearn.

    Robinson told police Semons entered the bedroom first, and pointed a gun at Cooper. Robinson told officials Cooper was pointing a gun at the group, and gunshots were exchanged before the group fled the scene, according to the complaint.

    The complaint says Lark told officials they had intended to obtain heroin and cocaine during the robbery.



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