Racine teen sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to kill girlfriend in 2023

 

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) — A teenager learned his prison sentence in Racine County court Friday after nearly killing his girlfriend three years ago.

Seventeen-year-old Elia Olson, also known as Eliyas Zaied, will spend 20 years in prison and 10 years on extended supervision for shooting his girlfriend in the head three times in January 2023.

Olson pleaded guilty to attempted first degree intentional homicide in July.

He was three days shy of 15 years old when he shot 14-year-old Jazlene Jones on abandoned train tracks near 21st and Memorial Avenue in Racine.

Prosecutors said it was because Jones wanted to break up with him.

"As Jazlene laid on the ground fighting for her life, he tells her, 'You have to die' or 'Just lay down and die,'" said Assistant District Attorney Brooke Erickson. "This was a pre-meditated, planned execution."

Judge Timothy Boyle agreed with that explanation.

"It's beyond horrific," Boyle said.

Incredibly, Jones survived. She lost her left eye and has bullets still in her body.

In court Friday, her family members told the judge it has been traumatic.

"Her life is forever changed. She didn't come today because she's trying to move on with her life," said her grandmother, Melinda Innocencio.

Olson's attorneys asked for a short prison sentence, eight years, based on his age at the time.

The judge called the request inappropriate.

"At 14, you know right from wrong. No frontal lobe issue there," Boyle said. "You know if you shoot somebody in the face, you can kill them."

Jones' grandmother said the family often had Olson in their homes, and they feel betrayed.

"Trust is hard, very hard now to trust anybody. For her, for all of us, because if you let somebody in your family, in your home, and they do something like that," Innocencio explained.

However, she's satisfied with the judge's decision of 20 years in prison.

"I hope it sets an example for society that men or boys can't just do anything to women, and that there is consequences," she said.

Jazlene's family said she's doing well. Her spirits are high, she goes to church every week, and she will graduate high school next year.