St. Paul teenager sentenced for fatally shooting spouse and children good friend in Bloomington resort area – Twin Metropolitan areas

A St. Paul teen pleaded guilty to killing a lady by shooting her in the facial area soon after he and his mom attempted to rob the family mate in a Bloomington hotel place previous summer time.

All through a Monday court hearing, Dequan Smith, who turned 18 shortly just after the slaying, pleaded guilty to 2nd-diploma accidental murder of 39-calendar year-previous Jennifer Swaggert, in accordance to the Hennepin County attorney’s office environment. Smith also pleaded guilty to tried to start with-diploma robbery, which transpired on a Metro Transit bus the working day right after the murder.

Through his plea, Smith admitted that on July 11 he and his mother tried using to force Swaggert to give them revenue for unpaid lease on a storage device by robbing her at gunpoint at the La Quinta Resort on Nicollet Avenue. Smith claimed all through an argument he pulled the bring about, capturing her in the confront.

Relatives users gave victim influence statements and described Swaggert as a loving mom, aunt and cousin who was selfless and sort and will be deeply missed.

After those statements, Smith apologized to Swaggert’s relatives and explained that she had helped out his family members in the previous.

Smith was licensed to stand trial as an grownup so his sentence will be served in prison. His mom, Trimeanna Williams, also was convicted of aiding her son after the murder. She is serving a sentence of 74 months in prison.