Teen Pleads Guilty to Bus Shooting
Jerome Pablo Cross, 18, pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder in Ramsey County District Court Tuesday.
The Pioneer Press reports that Cross pleaded guilty to a shooting that occurred on April 22 when, according to the criminal complaint, Earl Freeman, 16, was shot to death after a fight broke out between two groups of youths on the Route 74 metro transit bus. The confrontation began in downtown St. Paul at the intersection of Fifth and Minnesota streets after Cross group of friends crossed the street to confront Freeman's group. Cross' sentencing is set for Jan. 4.
Both the Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune also report that a fight out outside the courtroom. The Pioneer Press give very little detail, but the Star Tribune said that Freeman's father was punched in the face and two people were knocked down as police broke up the fight. They also report a 20-year-old man was arrested and could be charged with inciting a riot. The Star Tribune also reported that Cross agreed to the maximum sentence of 391 months, which is roughly 32 1/2 years. However, they also report that formal sentencing will be on Jan. 4.