CROWN POINT | A 17-year-old Gary teen pleaded guilty Tuesday to voluntary manslaughter for the 2007 shooting death of a mentally disabled man.
Jimmie Tyler was waived to adult court last year and charged with murder in the death of Jermaine Martin, 27, last August, court records show.
Tyler and his mother, Arlene Ambrose, argued with Martin about money they thought he owed them, records say. When he refused to pay, Ambrose and Tyler went back home where Tyler grabbed a rifle, court records say.
The mother and son went out driving again and confronted Martin. Tyler shot Martin in the back as Martin was running across the street to his front yard, records show.
Ambrose drove her son and another juvenile away from the scene, records say.
Ambrose, 50, also was charged with murder in the shooting. Her case is set for acceptance of a plea and sentencing May 14.
Tyler pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, a lesser charge, Tuesday and faces a minimum 30 years in prison, according to a plea agreement with Lake County prosecutors.
Lake Criminal Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell will consider the plea agreement and sentencing June 6.
