UPDATE: Man accused in shooting death of 13-year-old Sandra Parks pleads guilty
Updated: 11:11 a.m. June 11, 2019
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The man accused in the shooting death of a 13-year-old girl in November 2018 has changed his plea to guilty.
Isaac Barnes, 26, pleaded guilty to three charges including reckless homicide in the death of Sandra Parks. According to investigators, Parks was hit by a stray bullet while in her home near 13th and Hopkins on November 19, 2018.
On the second day of trial, the court heard from two witnesses as the third witness testified, Barnes, interrupted said he did not want to go further in the trial.
"I just don't want certain people taking the stand when I know they don't want to get up there and I know it's hard for a lot of people that are here today but I can admit to what I did. I'm not going to waste your time, my time, or anyone else's time but if I admit to what I did I would like the family to know what is the purpose and the motive," Barnes told the judge.
Barnes faces a maximum sentence of 85 years in prison. He is scheduled to be back in court for sentencing on August 23rd.
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Posted: 5:45 p.m. June 10, 2019
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – What would have been a jury trial of 14 people has now been turned into a bench trial for 26-year-old Isaac Barnes.
Barnes was escorted into the courtroom in handcuffs.
After several hours of jury questioning the defense put in a request to waive their right to a jury trial, opting for a bench trial instead, which means the judge will decide if Barnes is guilty.
The 35 people who were on the panel for jury selection were then sent home.
This case revolves around the shooting of 13-year-old Sandra Parks. Police say she was hit by a stray bullet while she sat in her home near 13th and Hopkins on November 19, 2018. Parks was killed and police say Barnes was the one who pulled the trigger.
Once the trial got underway, three witnesses were called to the stand-all officers who responded to the scene.
They recalled what they encountered that night.
“When we went inside there was an African American female, later identified as Sandra Parks,” says Joshua Hermann, Milwaukee Police Officer. “You could see a pool of blood pooling around her, she was faced down. My partner checked for her pulse and began life saving measures.”
Despite life saving measures, Sandra was pronounced dead at the scene.
The trial will continue on Tuesday with more witness statements at 9 a.m.