RACINE — The teenager accused in the 2021 homicide of a 44-year-old man pleaded no contest to an amended charge Thursday morning.
Anthony E. Smith Jr., 18, is accused in the 2021 shooting death of Musa Tawfiq Musa.
Smith was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.
Aaron Herrick, a codefendant in the case, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of narcotics with intent to deliver and possession of a firearm by a felon. A trial date has not been set for Herrick.
Smith was scheduled to go to trial April 16 but during a final pretrial conference Thursday, he agreed to take a plea deal.
Smith pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of second degree reckless homicide as a party to a crime, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years initial confinement and 10 years extended supervision.
Under a no contest plea, Smith is not admitting or denying guilt to the charge, but agreeing he will not contest the facts and accepts a conviction.
The state asked to have the other counts dismissed but read-in during sentencing, according to court documents.
Allegations
On Aug. 24, 2021, Racine Police Department officers responded to a report of a man being shot and killed in the 1900 block of LaSalle street. The man was identified as Musa.
Investigators were given a description of the vehicle used by the shooter to leave the scene, and they were able to find it later that evening, according to the criminal complaint.
The complaint said investigators learned there had been a confrontation between Musa, one of his sons and the suspects earlier that day.
Musa and his son were at a bank later in the day when they reportedly saw Smith and Herrick in a vehicle. Musa’s son told investigators that his father told him to walk home, and Musa followed the car that Herrick and Smith were in.
A passenger in the car with Smith and Herrick reportedly told investigators that Smith was sitting behind him in the rear passenger seat when he heard three shots fired.
When the passenger turned around, Smith was no longer in the rear passenger seat, according to the complaint.
Another person came forward and reportedly told investigators Smith was bragging about “having a body.”
Smith allegedly took the person to the scene of the crime and showed him how he shot Musa, giving him specific details about the shooting.
The person told officers that Herrick said he “couldn’t shake” Musa and told Smith to “give him a quick three,” meaning three shots, the complaint alleged.
Smith is scheduled to appear in court for a sentencing hearing June 17.
Principal Bill O'Malley, left, and Caroline Pate-Hefty talk during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty is a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent.
Caroline Pate-Hefty, left, talks with Tim Stanchfield, construction teacher, Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty, currently a superintendent in Whitewater, is a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent.
Caroline Pate-Hefty, left, and Principal Bill O'Malley talk during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty was a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent.
Soren Gajewski, left, talks with Principal Bill O'Malley Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday.
Teacher Carey Palacios, left, and Soren Gajewski talk Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski is the current Racine Unified interim superintendent and a finalist for the permanent superintendent position.
Sarah Walker Cleaveland, Racine Unified School District Board member, left, and Soren Gajewski smile during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday.
Caroline Pate-Hefty speaks during a community forum Wednesday at the Racine Unified Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. She is a finalist for RUSD superintendent and said “Racine is going in the right direction."
Soren Gajewski speaks during a community forum Wednesday at the Racine Unified Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday.
Eight photos of RUSD superintendent finalists touring the district
Two Racine Unified superintendent finalists toured three schools, spoke with staff and businesspeople and participated in a community forum Wednesday.
Principal Bill O'Malley, left, and Caroline Pate-Hefty talk during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty is a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent.
Ryan Patterson
Caroline Pate-Hefty, left, talks with Tim Stanchfield, construction teacher, Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty, currently a superintendent in Whitewater, is a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent.
Ryan Patterson
Caroline Pate-Hefty, left, and Principal Bill O'Malley talk during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Pate-Hefty was a finalist for Racine Unified superintendent.
Ryan Patterson
Soren Gajewski, left, talks with Principal Bill O'Malley Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday.
Ryan Patterson
Teacher Carey Palacios, left, and Soren Gajewski talk Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski is the current Racine Unified interim superintendent and a finalist for the permanent superintendent position.
Ryan Patterson
Sarah Walker Cleaveland, Racine Unified School District Board member, left, and Soren Gajewski smile during a tour Wednesday at Park High School, 1901 12th St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday.
Ryan Patterson
Caroline Pate-Hefty speaks during a community forum Wednesday at the Racine Unified Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. She is a finalist for RUSD superintendent and said “Racine is going in the right direction."
Ryan Patterson
Soren Gajewski speaks during a community forum Wednesday at the Racine Unified Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Gajewski, currently the RUSD interim superintendent, was named permanent superintendent on Thursday.
Anthony E. Smith Jr. arrives in Racine County Circuit Court on July 14, 2022. Smith pleaded no contest to an amended charge of second-degree reckless homicide Thursday morning.