FeedsMan takes plea for fatally shooting cab driver
Wayne County prosecutors and attorneys for an Inkster man accused of fatally shooting a cab driver in 2006 reached a plea agreement Monday.
Vincent Crawford, 21, will spend at least 17 years behind bars in the shooting death of 30-year-old James Brooks. Crawford agreed to plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder, for which he will serve 15 to 30 years in prison, and an additional count of felony firearms, which adds an automatic two years onto his minimum sentence.
Crawford was originally charged with first-degree murder, which is punishable by a mandatory life sentence in Michigan. The agreement also included a nolo contendre provision that allowed him to avoid admitting responsibility for Brooks’ death.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Chris Coyle said the agreement brings the case to a close.
“We have preliminarily reached an agreement between the parties and if the judge accepts that agreement, (Crawford) will serve at least 17 years,” he said. “It’s our goal to enter into an agreement before trial, and in this case, we were able to do that.”
Brooks, the father of two, was discovered shot in the early morning hours of July 1, 2006, inside his cab in front of a home on the 4500 block of Isabelle Street. He had been shot several times in the upper body, and had been dead for several hours when police discovered his body.
Brooks’ driver’s license said he was living at a home on Notre Dame Street when he was shot. Willynda Smith, Brooks’ sister, said her brother had just celebrated his 30th birthday and was making many personal changes at the time of his death.
“He loved everything about design and was attending classes in Troy to change his career,” she said. “He was excited about it.”
She also said that her brother’s death has left a hole in her family that may never be filled.
“(James Brooks) would help anyone out; he was just the nicest guy,” she said. “We’ve missed him terribly.”
Smith said her brother was interested in a career in jewelry or clothing design.
Craig Freeman, the attorney who defended Crawford, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Judge Michael Hathaway set a formal sentencing hearing for April 23.
