Toledo man faces prison for shooting

7/22/2008

A 20-year-old Toledoan who shot into a group gathered outside his home was found guilty in Lucas County Common Pleas Court yesterday of attempt to commit felonious assault.

Johnny Reese, Jr., 20, of 4712 Vallejo Drive, was arraigned and entered an Alford plea to the new charge. He initially was charged with felonious assault.

Assistant County Prosecutor Robert Miller said Reese was at his home Nov. 12, 2007, when a group of people arrived just before midnight. Among them was the victim, Anthony Banks, and a friend who'd been in a confrontation with Reese.

"One or more persons shot at [Reese's] vehicle and house," Mr. Miller said. "He grabbed a 9-mm gun and fired several shots at the group."

Mr. Banks, 22, was shot in the right shoulder.

In an Alford plea, the defendant maintains his innocence or does not admit he committed a crime, but still pleads guilty because he decides doing so is in his best interest. The court treats it as a guilty plea.

Reese faces up to five years in prison when sentenced Aug. 25 by Judge Gene Zmuda.