On Monday September 9, 21-year-old Kesean Wilson pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery in an October 2012 incident in which he allegedly used a gun to rob a credit union in Jackson. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson on October 31, according to a news article at Mlive.com.
Wilson was initially charged with three counts of armed robbery, fleeing and eluding police, and using a firearm to commit a felony. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dismissed the fleeing and eluding charge, lesser bank robbery charges, and one count of armed robbery.
The minimum sentence for the crimes Wilson has admitted to committing is 12 1/2 to 19 1/2 years in prison according to Assistant Prosecutor Nick Mehalco Jr.’s preliminary calculations. The defendant’s attorney believes his client will serve a minimum of 10 years for the armed robbery of the Jackson City County Credit Union.
Wilson went inside the credit union and took money from two teller’s stations after putting a handgun to a customer’s head, then jumping the counter. He also took $100 from the customer whose head he had held a gun to. While one of the credit union clerks testified that she feared for her life, one employee said that the defendant apologized even as he was committing the robbery, saying “I have to do this for my family.” Wilson’s attorney said his client does not have a terrible crime record, and that he is just a young man who never denied his guilt.
Wilson appealed, claiming that it was unfair for prosecutors to charge him with so many criminal offenses. The Court of Appeals declined to hear the defendant’s appeal.
Wilson’s mother has been in prison for a number of years for shooting a rival drug dealer. Wilson and his 19-year-old sister, who pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery in the credit union robbery, allegedly needed the money for their mother, who was in need of $20,000 to publish a book she is writing.
Michigan criminal appeals attorneys would agree that this is a sad case. It is apparent that Wilson and his sister have had a difficult life considering their mother is in prison. While there is no excuse for committing a serious criminal offense, young adults often make bad decisions which can result in serious punishment.
Being convicted of a crime is not always the end of the road; you may have grounds to appeal a conviction or sentencing. Discuss your situation with a highly experienced Michigan criminal appeals lawyer who can help determine whether you may have another option.