One of two Twin Cities men charged with murder has admitted to shooting a 28-year-old man in downtown Rochester last year during a fight following a dice game.
Derrick T. Days, 29, of South St. Paul, agreed to plead guilty Thursday in Olmsted County District Court to second-degree murder and second-degree assault in connection with the 2021 killing of Todd L. Banks Jr., of Rochester.
The plea deal with prosecutors calls for Days to receive a sentence of no more than 35 1⁄2 years. He remains jailed ahead of sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled.
An accomplice, Nautica D. Cox, 23, of Minneapolis, remains jailed on charges of second-degree murder and illegal possession of a gun. Cox's next court date is Dec. 1.
Both defendants have multiple felony convictions in Minnesota — Days for burglary and illegal possession of a gun and Cox for assault, robbery and illegal gun possession.
According to the criminal complaints:
A police officer on patrol shortly before 2:30 a.m. on June 6, 2021, saw Cox shooting toward people at SW. 1st Avenue and 3rd Street. He saw Cox duck into a nearby alley behind what was once Dooley's Pub and discovered a handgun in the immediate vicinity.
Police found Banks at the intersection. He was put in an ambulance and soon declared dead of at least five gunshot wounds.
