Prez Wade is convicted in Brown County court, Sept. 23, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Brown County courts/Zoom)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Prez Wade was sentenced Friday to 35 years in prison for the murder of Braxton Phillips at an Ashwaubenon apartment.
Wade, 22, was previously convicted of first-degree reckless homicide for the March 1, 2023, shooting at Creekwood Apartments.
He was also placed on extended supervision for 20 years by Judge Tammy Jo Hock.
At the sentencing, Wade said he knew his words could not undo the shooting, but he hoped others could forgive him later.
“No matter how many sorries I say, I know my words will never bring back those actions that took his life. But I want to ask one very important thing, and it might not be today, or next month, or next year, but that at least one of you and most importantly Mr. Jones can one day soon enough find it in your heart to forgive me,” Wade said.
Aaron Jones is the victim’s father. He told the court that having Braxton helped him turn his life around and mourned his loss.
Braxton was my first child and I was young when I had him and I was always in and out of jail. And when I came home he was a little older, and the way he sat down and talked to me and looked me in the eyes and told me what bothered him and what effect it had on him, I changed everything about me. I haven’t been to prison in the last nine years because of him. He was the type of person that — yeah he was my son, but he had a way with me that nobody had. And now I don’t have that.
Previously, Keilana Brunette was sentenced to six years in prison for destroying evidence and obstructing police.
Prez admitted to the shooting when police interviewed him eight days after the murder, according to a 37-page criminal complaint, saying it was accidental.
“Prez stated he was sitting like this as he held up his left arm as if he had his arm around (Phillips) and had his right hand like Prez was holding a gun. Prez stated, ‘I pulled the trigger, boom’ and then (Phillips) started to yell and got up and ran to the door. Prez stated he just sat there shocked because he thought (Phillips) was faking. Prez stated (Phillips) ran to the door and stated, ‘I’m shot [*****]’,’ ran back in front of him and dropped,” the complaint states.
One witness told police Prez was upset with Phillips for being close with Brunette, who is the mother of Wade’s child.
“Prez told him he had thought about shooting (Phillips) before it actually happened. WITNESS 1 stated (Phillips) started to get involved in Prez and Keilana’s relationship,” the complaint states.
The same witness told police there were two guns in the apartment, but Wade made sure the one Phillips had was empty so he couldn’t shoot back, according to the complaint.
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