Danta Wright, a 17-year-old from Ann Arbor, Michigan, admitted to armed robbery, planning an armed robbery, having a gun during a felony, and second-degree murder.
He was involved in the shooting death of 18-year-old Jordan Klee.
On October 4, 2016, Wright and two other teens, Jermarius Ellison and Delreno Gracey, tried to rob Klee at the Pinelake Village Cooperative apartments in Ann Arbor.
They wanted to steal drugs, clothes, and shoes.
During the robbery, things went wrong for Wright and his group, likely because Klee tried to fight back.
Wright shot Klee in the back of the head, killing him.
Drama in Court
It was a shocking scene in the Washtenaw County courtroom during Wright's trial.
The teen who confessed to killing Jordan Klee sat smiling and almost laughing while Klee's family read their impact statements in court.
"I've lost my only child, my son, my baby, my friend. More than that, I lost laughter and love. I no longer have the hope of having grandchildren," a family member read in court on behalf of the victim's grieving mother.
Afterward, 17-year-old Danta Wright, who showed no remorse, told the court, "I just want to tell y’all I’ll be home soon…I love my family."
The judge didn't like Wright's attitude and asked the prosecutors if his sentence was too lenient.
Judge David Swartz of the 22nd Circuit Court expressed his frustration with Wright's behavior, saying, "Watching him sit there, smile, laugh, and shake his head like this was no big deal makes me very tempted to reject the sentencing agreement and proceed to trial.
If convicted of felony murder, he would go to prison for the rest of his life and die there. That's what I'm tempted to do."
After becoming angry because Danta Wright smiled during his sentencing, Judge David S. Swartz gave prosecutors extra time to talk with the family of the 18-year-old who was killed.
He wanted them to decide if they wanted the case to proceed to trial and the plea deal canceled.
During a short break, the family requested that the case should not go to trial because they wanted to move on.
"They want to try to forgive the defendant. They are also asking, along with others, for you to follow through with the agreed sentence," said their lawyer.
Their lawyer emphasized the feelings Jordan Klee's mother, Karen Klee, and his grandfather expressed in their victim impact statements.
He confirmed their desire to forgive the defendant and urged the judge to follow the agreed sentence.
As part of the plea agreement, Wright will not face charges related to another shooting incident.
In 2015, Wright shot and killed 20-year-old Keandre Duff in a gang-related shooting in Ypsilanti.
Wright's lawyer apologized on behalf of the teen after the break, saying he suffers from emotional issues and that some people "display fear by smiling."
Wright was sentenced to 23-50 years in prison for Klee's murder.
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