INDIANAPOLIS – The family of two brothers murdered at a gas station on Indy’s east side say they’re frustrated by a plea deal being offered to the accused killer.
The fatal shooting took place at the Emerson Food Mart at 3402 N Emerson Avenue on April 22, 2023.
When officers arrived, they located Jimmy Thomas Jr. and Jaquareous Mitchell inside the business with gunshot wounds.
Mitchell, seen below on the left, was pronounced deceased on scene. Thomas, Jr., seen below on the right, was transported to Methodist Hospital in critical condition and later passed away.
20-year-old Martice McGee was charged with two counts of murder.
Court records show there was some sort of fight between the suspect and victims inside the store before the shooting.
This month prosecutors agreed to a plea deal with McGee.
Prosecutors agreed to drop the two counts of murder. In exchange, Mitchell agreed to plead guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter.
As part of that deal, a maximum sentence of 25 years would be imposed.
The father of the two victims said that punishment is not adequate. He confirmed that the family was not consulted about the plea agreement and said he wants the judge to reject the plea deal.
“We really need to work hard to keep criminals off the street. I am in total disagreement with the plea,” said the victim’s father. “Where is the justice in that?”
A hearing on the plea deal is set to take place Wednesday in Marion County. Prosecutors did not reply to an email asking for comment on the plea deal or the family’s concerns.
