Getaway driver in deadly playground shooting is sentenced

First, I'm going to extend my condolences to the family because I cannot imagine, I am a mother of two children, and I cannot imagine losing my children in that way. I want to extend my condolences to you. I always think that I have the best job in the world because I get the opportunity to have people that are on probation to me, and I get an opportunity to help them. And somebody who was in here earlier, I make sure they get it. GED or mental health or drug, if they need substance abuse, I'm known to try to do everything I can to prevent people from going to jail, going to prison. So this is a sad day for me on both sides, for both families, because in this particular case, Mr. Wheeler had no criminal record. Sometimes you can see this coming when individuals start as juveniles and you just watch it grow. But this is the young man who had no criminal record, who was working, had graduated from high school, which most defendants that appear before me do not. And they don't have family, which he does. All the things that would have made him successful. And yet, one bad decision. You know, sometimes we hang around with the wrong people. He's young, he's 20 years old now, he was 19 then, or 18. And he went along with the crowd. And that was the worst decision he could have made. Because somebody else came to you emotional. And most people end up in front of me because of emotional decisions. Because they don't think it through. And when you're young, you make huge mistakes. But this was horrendous. Because two young people lost their lives. At a park where you should have been safe. There is no way in the world that this should have happened. None. And so it is a very, very, very sad day. For me, because I have to send somebody to prison for 16 to 40 years plus two, I am going to follow the sentence agreement. And the reason I'm going to follow the sentence agreement, and I understand, I did ask the prosecutor whether they spoke with the family about this plea offer, and they said that they had. But I've also been asked by the family about the max. But there was agreement that was agreed to between the parties here. And so the court is going to follow that agreement because I do believe. That Mr. Wheeler can be rehabilitated, he is about to have a life that he has no clue what is about to happen, where he's about to go, Michigan Department of Corrections. And sir, all I can say to you when you get there, because you're going to go through some things that you never even imagined, but those are the consequences that you have. Let me understand now. And Mr. Chambers, those are the consequences of these actions. They can keep you up to 40 years, plus two. It's really all dependent on what happens to you. I pray that when you're there, that you think about what you've done. I do believe that you're remorseful. And that when you are released, if and when you are released, eventually, that you come back out and that you become some kind of mentor to individuals. Because I can tell you, it will still be happening when you come out. There are people who've been in there 30 years now that are coming out and they can still be mentors because people are still doing the same thing, just like you all did it. And it'll still be happening 20, 30, 40 years from now. So when you come out, I hope you come out and you talk to young people about these kind of decisions and hopefully prevent somebody else from making the decisions you make. And while you're in, because you're going to be there a while, at least to nearly 40. That when young people come in, who may not be there that long, that you talk to them about their lifestyles and changing their lifestyles when they go back out. But this right here was just a horrible, horrible decision. And I pray that when you're in there that you don't, because there's going to be a different mindset you're going to have to have to survive in there. And that's just the honest truth. But I pray that while you're there, you mature enough to the point that you do not take on that way of thinking. And that you come out, and you are a different person, and you can make a difference. Because, as has been said about the families, they're kids that don't have a chance to make a difference. There's nothing that can be said to them. There's no amount of time that you can get that could bring back their children. However, if you become a productive member of society, and you help others, that at least can help. And maybe you can prevent somebody else from going down this road. At least that can be something that you can do. To help minimize some of what you have caused. Do you understand what I'm saying? Alright, so the court is going to follow the sentence agreement. Which is 16 to 40 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. On counts one and two, which run concurrent to each other, which means the same time, as well as two years for the felony firearm charges, which run consecutive and before the 16 to 40 starts to run. There's 491 days jail credit on the felony firearm charges. There's no credit yet on a homicide murder second degree. In addition, you must not have electronic, physical, Or physical contact with Damarian Cole, either directly or through another person. You must not be within 500 feet of his residence or place of employment. It's a $130 crime victim's assessment. The court is going to strike the $1,300 in court costs as well as the $400 in attorney fees. It's $136 in state costs. I'm showing restitution for $2,500 to Jasmine Gruss, but we need to make sure we get those receipts. If there's an issue with restitution, then you all can contact the court for a restitution hearing. It is my duty to advise you that you have a right to request leave to appeal from the Court of Appeals to appeal your plea and sentence. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you at public expense. The court is now handing you the appellate rights, sir. Please initial those rights indicating you're receiving those rights. I'm sorry. The state cost is $272. Let me also indicate that I feel sorry for Mr. Wheeler's family as well. Because I couldn't even, I would not want to imagine my child having to go to prison either for something this horrendous. And so, you know, I express sadness for both sides because the whole thing is tragic. All right. Acknowledge receipt? Acknowledge receipt. All right. That's the form you must file with the clerk of this court within 42 days of today's date if you wish to appeal your conviction of sentence and you need counsel. If you do not wish to appeal, then you don't have to do anything with that. So I hope you continue your education. I hope you do positive things in order to get yourself together when you come back out. Okay. All right. This matter is concluded. Thank you, Judge.