A Tucson man pleaded guilty Friday to negligent homicide in connection with the shooting death of a man whose body was left in a north-side apartment complex for several days before the murder was reported to police.
Zane G. Williams, 25, is facing four to eight years in prison for the March 23, 2012, death of 23-year-old Javier Johansen.'
Johansen's body was found last March 27 when police responded to the apartment in the 100 block of East Blacklidge Drive after receiving a call from Williams' brother that a homicide happened there, according to court records.
Defense attorney Rick Lougee said another witness said Williams and Johansen were at a party drinking and doing drugs when Williams pulled out a gun that accidentally went off when Johansen grabbed it.
The victim's mother and sister both spoke out against the terms of the plea agreement, saying the sentencing range wasn't enough for Williams' actions. They questioned why Williams didn't seek help or report the shooting to police when it happened and why the weapon wasn't found.
"My son was dead for three days. If it was an accident why would he get rid of the gun?" Maria Johansen, the victim's mother, said at the hearing.
Williams is scheduled to be sentenced by Pima County Superior Court Judge Richard Nichols on May 6.
Contact reporter Veronica Cruz at vcruz@azstarnet.com or at 573-4224.
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