Mother's Outrage Over Plea Deal in Brutal Teen Murder Case

Melissa Ready, mother of slain student Jonathan Lewis, condemns the plea deal reached by the four murderers of her son, who were moved to juvenile court.

Melissa Ready, the grieving mother of 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis, has expressed outrage over the plea deal reached in the murder case of her son. The four teens responsible for Lewis's brutal death agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, reducing their charges from murder and allowing them to be sentenced in juvenile court.

"I was unaware there was going to be a court date today. I was also unaware they had made a plea deal… I was told by the district attorney a week or so ago that they were going to plead guilty to murder and get no less than two years in the adult system," Ready told FOX 5 Las Vegas.

Mother's Outrage Over Plea Deal in Brutal Teen Murder Case

Ready believes her son's killers are getting away with murder due to the plea deal. "There is no justice so far for my son’s murder," she lamented.

The plea deal moves the case into juvenile court, which would seal the criminal records of the four teens involved: Damien Hernandez, 17, Dontral Beaver, 16, Gianni Robinson, 17, and Treavion Randolph, 16.

Mother's Outrage Over Plea Deal in Brutal Teen Murder Case

Robert Draskovich, the lawyer representing Robinson, stated that the proposed plea deal has not yet been officially entered in juvenile court and that sentencing will occur at a later date.

Jonathan Lewis was found brutally beaten in an alley near Rancho High School in North Las Vegas on November 1, 2023. He died just days later in a nearby hospital from his injuries.

Mother's Outrage Over Plea Deal in Brutal Teen Murder Case

Ready's anger stems from the fact that the original charges of murder carried a potential sentence of at least two years in the adult system. However, the plea deal to voluntary manslaughter in juvenile court significantly reduces the consequences for the perpetrators.

"I was not satisfied with the two years in the adult system, but it would have at least been on their records," Ready said. "There is no justice so far for my son’s murder."

The plea deal has also raised concerns about the lack of accountability and public record of the perpetrators' actions. By sealing their criminal records in juvenile court, the public will not have access to information about their involvement in Lewis's murder, potentially perpetuating a cycle of violence and impunity.

Ready's outcry has drawn support from the community, who share her concerns about the fairness and transparency of the plea deal. They argue that the murderers should be held accountable for their actions and that the reduced charges send a dangerous message to young people about the consequences of violent crime.

The case of Jonathan Lewis's murder has highlighted the complex and often controversial issue of juvenile justice, balancing rehabilitation with accountability. As the legal process continues, Ready vows to fight for justice for her son and to prevent future tragedies from occurring.