Posted on: March 7, 2024, 07:21h.
Last updated on: March 7, 2024, 07:21h.
The teenager who fatally shot another teen during a birthday party last year at Las Vegas’ Platinum Hotel and Spa was sentenced Thursday to at least eight years behind bars.
Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones sentenced Sincere Smith to between eight and 25 years in prison, under a plea deal. Smith will be eligible for parole in June 2031, given time he already spent in jail, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS.
In January, Smith pled guilty under the Alford doctrine to second-degree murder in the death of Omarion Wilson, 17, at the off-Strip property.
Under the doctrine, a defendant admits prosecutors had evidence to convince a jury to convict him, according to KLAS. But the plea does not mean the defendant admits guilt to the crime, KLAS reported.
Wilson’s mother spoke to the judge on Thursday before the sentence was announced in court.
To my son Omarion, mama wishes she were there to save and protect you,” Laquinna Wiggins, told the judge. “I wish this were a dream I can wake up from. Mama misses and loves you so much.”
Plea Deal
When Smith was arrested last June, he was given the more serious charge of murder with the use of a deadly weapon. It was reduced to the lesser charge.
The case also automatically was transferred to adult court under Nevada state law, given Smith’s age and the fact he was charged with murder.
Smith was 15 when he fatally wounded Wilson.
Gun in Backpack
It was revealed that Smith and other teens initially showed up at a garage near the hotel. He took a firearm from his waistband and placed it into a backpack.
The youngsters, some of whom were wearing face masks, then went to the fifth-floor room where the party was taking place.
“While riding up to the fifth floor, Smith began to manipulate the top backpack zipper area; [the] same area he placed the gun into moments prior,” according to a police report.
Smith was the last to get off the elevator and did not have his face covered; however, [he] had a black piece of cloth wrapped around his head.”
Four minutes later, the youngsters fled from the hotel’s fifth floor down a stairway.
The wounded Wilson was rushed to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center and later was pronounced dead at the hospital.
He died from a gunshot wound to his chest, an autopsy revealed. The shooting also was determined to be a homicide.
The motive for the shooting was initially unclear.
There were people in the group that had ‘a beef’ with Wilson,” was what one witness told the LVMPD, KLAS reported.
Wilson died while still in the 12th grade at North Las Vegas’ Legacy High School. He ran on the track team and played football. He was buried in his high school prom clothes.
