Robert L. White has reached a plea agreement with the Cowley County Attorney’s office and will be sentenced Friday in connection with a shooting at the Jump Start in Winfield nearly two years ago.
White was originally charged with second-degree murder but has had that charge reduced to aggravated battery as part of the agreement, county attorney Chris Smith said.
White, who was scheduled to go to trial later this month, was arrested shortly after a shootout at the Jump Start convenience store on Main in Oct. 2007. Police estimated at least two dozens shots were fired.
Aaron Brown, an Arkansas City man, was wounded during the exchange of gunfire. He was treated and released at a local hospital.
Since that time, Brown has been charged with attempted first-degree murder in a separate shooting that occurred at an Ark City apartment complex Feb. 25.
Smith acknowledged that the Jump Start victim’s legal situation was a deciding factor in a plea agreement for White.
"In my opinion, (Brown’s legal problems) would’ve made a jury trial for Mr. White difficult," he said.
Smith expects that White will serve time in prison for the incident, but said the final sentence will be left to a judge. White, who has an extensive criminal history, can ben sentenced to up to three years in prison on the aggravated battery charge.
His sentencing hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Cowley County Courthouse in Winfield.
