A Toledo man charged in the shooting death of Michael Williams, Jr., pleaded guilty today to a reduced charge of reckless homicide with a firearm specification.
Tyrone Hoskins, Jr., 23, of 618 Woodland Ave., was then sentenced by Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Gary Cook to an agreed-upon term of three years in prison.
Hoskins had been charged with murder and participating in a criminal gang, but was allowed to plead guilty to the third-degree felony because of “evidentiary concerns” with the case, said Matt Simko, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor.
Hoskins told the court he was outside an after-hours club in the 1500 block of Ottawa Drive on Feb. 2 when Mr. Williams approached, shooting a gun. He said he hid behind a vehicle and when the car was struck by a bullet, he began firing.
Hoskins said he did not know Mr. Williams – a friend of his – was struck and killed.
“I didn’t know he was killed,” Hoskins said. “I was actually just shooting out of fear.”
Also today, Judge Cook dismissed charges against co-defendant Rishad Williams, who also was accused in Michael Williams’ death.