Topeka man linked to shooting outside Lawrence apartment enters pleas to conspiracy charges

The driver in connection with an October shooting outside a Lawrence apartment entered pleas to conspiracy charges.

Desmond J. Jackson, 19, of Topeka, pleaded no-contest Monday afternoon to two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.

“His actions in driving the vehicle constitute a conspiracy towards that attempted robbery,” according to a factual basis prosecutors presented in the case.

Douglas County prosecutors accused Jackson of participating in a scheme with Christopher Bush and two other Topeka women to rob two Lawrence men. One of the Lawrence men was shot on Oct. 11 in the 2500 block of Redbud Lane.

Chief District Judge Robert Fairchild is scheduled to sentence Jackson on March 3. Defense attorney Jason Billam said he expected his client to qualify for probation in the case.

After Jackson pleaded, Fairchild did agree to lower his bond to a $5,000 own-recognizance bond.

Bush, 20, the man prosecutors accused of pulling the trigger, has already pleaded no-contest to charges of aggravated battery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated robbery. Bush is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 15.

One of the women, Ashley Halstead, 22, pleaded guilty in December to two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. She is scheduled to be sentenced Friday.

The fourth defendant, Rylie Musik, 18, has a trial scheduled for April 6. Her attorney has said she had no knowledge of the plan.