Shooter guilty of attempted murder

5/8/2007

Frank Maples, who shot a man in the neck that paralyzed him from the neck down, pleaded no contest yesterday to a charge of attempt to commit murder with a firearm specification.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Denise Ann Dartt found Maples, 19, of 818 Fernwood Ave., guilty of the charge. He faces up to 13 years in prison at his June 11 sentencing.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Tim Braun, Maples approached Dominic Watts, then 18, about 10:30 p.m. Sept. 15 and shot him in the neck. Police were called to 907 Woodland Ave. on a report that a man was shot and found the victim lying facedown on the sidewalk.

The victim said at the time that someone named "Chuck" who lived on Fernwood Avenue shot him. Police eventually identified Maples as the assailant.

A second charge of attempted murder as well as two felonious assault charges will be dismissed as part of the agreement. The second charge was for the shooting of Allen Thompson, who saw the shooting of Mr. Watts.

Maples also faces felony conveyances and possession of criminal tools charges after being accused of trying to smuggle contraband into the jail. He will go to trial on those charges May 21 in front of Judge Ruth Ann Franks.