Shooter gets 10 years
JANESVILLE
Alonzo K-Pone Potts was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday for the shooting of Holice J. Wiggins in April 2007 in Janesville.
Potts was originally charged with attempted murder, but in March, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of first-degree reckless injury.
Judge James Daley sentenced Potts, 35, formerly of 1608 N. Randall Ave., No. 19, Janesville, to 10 years in prison and 10 years extended supervision.
Potts is not eligible for prison programs that could shorten his sentence.
Potts and Wiggins had been friends, but a night of drinking in downtown Janesville in April 2007 led to an argument. Potts shot Wiggins five times with a pistol at close range.
Wiggins, 27, was hospitalized for many days.
The shooting happened in the 100 block of Linn Street in Janesville at the home of Potts' mother and sister.
Potts began arguing with the father of his sister’s child, and Wiggins came to the home and tried to calm Potts, who already had the gun and had fired at least one shot, according to the criminal complaint against Potts.
At one point, Wiggins said: “"What are you going to do, shoot me?”
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:23 p.m.
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Was that in Wisconsin? Rock County?
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:07 p.m.
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My 2 yr old nephew was beaten to death by his babysitter and that guy only got 10 years. The system is broken, I find in infuriating that the life of my nephew was worth so little, the guilty party said he didnt mean to do it and pled guilty so he saved the state a trial, maybe they figured they would only sentence him to 10 yrs since he saved them a buck.
Jun 25, 2008 at 9:57 p.m.
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He was charged with 1st degree intentional homicide originally. Somewhere along the line it was decided 5 shots at point blank was just "reckless". We would hate to ever try to convict someone at trial.
Jun 25, 2008 at 8:21 p.m.
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Janesvillean, I am posting from the planet Earth! Would you consider this case 'attempted wounding' instead of 'attempted murder'? People who shoot other people.....5 TIMES......is trying to kill them! I don't think he was just trying to wound him, my golly. This guy should have life with the possibility of parole after 25yrs, IMO. A rapist should get a mandatory life sentence (with few exceptions).
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This countries judicial system is a joke and it's no wonder we have the problems here in the US that we do.
Jun 25, 2008 at 6:14 p.m.
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I don't know what planet people are posting from, but on this planet, the one that I believe includes Janesville, ten years jail plus ten years supervision is a fairly tough sentence comparable to one for rape or attempted murder.
Jun 25, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.
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10 years for shooting someone five times?!! Earlier this month a Beloit person got life for selling drugs. Seems backwards to me.
Jun 25, 2008 at 4:06 p.m.
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wait...these cats were drunk?? i didnt realize some people lose control of their thoughts and actions when theyre drunk;) anyone ever read a story about one friend shooting another after a nite of smokin pot??
Jun 25, 2008 at 3:49 p.m.
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It's not just our legal system in Janesville. It is the entire legal system. It protects the guilty and they seem to have more rights than the innocent.
Jun 25, 2008 at 3:32 p.m.
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Shoot a person 5 times and get reckless injury WHAT KIND OF PLEA DEAL IS THAT?????IF YOU SHOOT 10 times will you only get a disorderly conduct walk away probation? I just love our justice system in Janesville. Apparently their evidence was thin to offer this deal.
Jun 25, 2008 at 2:59 p.m.
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would that of been considered a "loaded" question?
Jun 25, 2008 at 2:22 p.m.
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Does 10 years qualify as "tough time for gun crime"? Sorry, but this plea deal is a absolute joke!
Jun 25, 2008 at 12:50 p.m.
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I'd say that qualifies for the DUH award!
Jun 25, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
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That is one question you never ask a drunk man with a loaded gun in his hand!!!
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