Topeka teen Kingston Scott's killer pleads guilty to second-degree murder

Nassir Gill, 21, pleaded guilty Aug. 18 to the shooting death of 16-year-old Kingston Scott in Topeka, Kansas. A second suspect, Dasanee Curry, 21, faces a preliminary hearing on first-degree murder charges.

Guilty plea entered in shooting death of Topeka West High School student

Nassir Gill, 21, is set to be sentenced on Oct. 15 after pleading guilty on Aug. 18 to second-degree murder and related firearm charges in connection with the killing of Kingston Scott, 16, a student at Topeka West High School, cjonline.com reports.

Scott was fatally shot around 1 a.m. on Nov. 22 in the area of SE 36th Terrace and Pennsylvania Avenue in Topeka, Kansas. He is survived by a daughter, Xalori Scott, now 15 months old.

Gill originally faced first-degree murder charges. Under a plea agreement, those were reduced to intentional second-degree murder, the criminal discharge of a firearm recklessly at an occupied dwelling, and the attempted criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle with great bodily harm, according to court records.

His sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Oct. 15 before a Shawnee County judge.

Second suspect faces preliminary hearing

A separate legal process is under way for Dasanee Curry, 21, who attended the first day of a preliminary hearing on Aug. 31. Shawnee County District Judge Jason Geier is presiding over the proceeding, which will determine whether probable cause exists to try Curry on charges that include first-degree murder. Court records show Curry faces eight criminal charges in total.

Curry's defense attorney is Shaye Downing. Deputy district attorneys Lauren Amrein and Brandon Farnham are prosecuting the case.

Five uniformed law enforcement and corrections officers provided security as more than 20 members of the public watched from the gallery on Aug. 31 during the first day of what is expected to be a two-day hearing.

Party preceded the shooting

Witnesses who testified on Aug. 31 included four youths under 18 who attended a birthday party held late on Nov. 21, which investigators believe led to Scott's death. The party took place at a rented Airbnb in the 3600 block of SE Pennsylvania Avenue, witnesses said. Four local property owners also testified, each having provided security video footage to police for use in the investigation.

Judge Geier warned those present that any visible or audible cell phone use would result in immediate removal from the courtroom. One woman was subsequently removed after her phone rang during the hearing.

Police questioned 20 juveniles at schools

Topeka police investigators, seeking to establish what occurred at the party before the shooting, rounded up and questioned 20 juveniles at Topeka high schools without parental consent, using search warrants to seize their cell phones.

Lauren Bonds, executive director of the National Police Accountability Project, said the department's actions were not illegal but were "far from best practice."

Topeka police arrested four people in connection with Scott's killing: Gill, Curry, and two 16-year-old male youths whose identities have not been made public.

Source: Google News JM — Kingston