4-year prison sentence likely for St. Paul man who admits he took part in drive-by shooting

Last update: November 3, 2009 - 9:33 PM

Lavelle E. Anderson admitted in Ramsey County District Court on Tuesday that he took part in a drive-by shooting on April 5 in St. Paul's North End.

Anderson, 24, of St. Paul, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a drive-by discharge of a firearm.

The plea agreement calls for a likely sentence of four years in prison. He will be sentenced Dec. 15 by District Judge John Guthmann.

In exchange for the plea, two counts of second-degree assault and another count of drive-by shooting were dismissed. Prosecutors also agreed not to bring charges in connection with drugs and additional firearms found during a search of a home in the 100 block of Bigelow Street on April 14.

A codefendant, DeAndre Neal-Hill, was convicted by a jury in August of drive-by discharge of a firearm, two counts of second-degree assault and possession of a firearm by an ineligible person in connection with the April 5 incident. He was sentenced to almost 14 years in prison.

Charges of first-degree attempted murder were dismissed earlier against both Neal-Hill and Anderson after the intended victim refused to testify.

The criminal complaint said Neal-Hill had called DeShaun Baker earlier on April 5 saying that he was going to shoot him and that Baker would be another "unsolved homicide."

Under questioning from prosecutor David Miller on Tuesday, Anderson said he and "one or more passengers" drove to Como Avenue and Jackson Street that afternoon knowing that Baker and another man would be there. Someone in Anderson's car fired at the other car.

PAT PHEIFER

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