Brandis Junton wells confessed to investigators that he had “just beat him up to the draw” after fatally shooting his neighbor.
Wells made the same claim Tuesday, when he was given the opportunity to speak at Jarrell Ray Kirk’s sentencing in St. Paul’s Frogtown for his 2021 murder.
Wells stated that “This wasn’t a typical crime,” Ramsey County District Judge Thomas Gilligan Jr. said. “I don’t want to make it seem like I’m the victim. But if I hadn’t done what I did I wouldn’t be here.”
Gilligan refused Wells’ request for a lower durational departure from state sentencing guidelines. Instead, the 35-year old was sentenced to slightly more than 11 year imprisonment on a second-degree murder conviction without intent.
Gilligan claimed evidence that Wells provoked Kirk, 31, before they had a fistfight. According to Brooke Borkenhagen, Wells’ attorney, Gilligan said that there was no evidence Kirk was the aggressor.
In December’s plea agreement, Wells was allowed to have a second-degree murder charge dropped and his attorney be eligible for a shorter sentence.
Wells, who was not convicted of any felony, was sentenced to between 128 and 150 month in prison. His attorney argued for 90 month, while Isaiah Ellison, the prosecutor, argued 135 months or just over 11 year.
Ex-girlfriend involved
Kirk and Wells lived in the same duplex at 500 Block of Blair Avenue. Officers arrived at the scene to find Kirk shot on the sidewalk after multiple 911 calls regarding a shooting.
Kirk’s father informed officers that the shooter was in the duplex.
Kirk was declared dead at Regions Hospital. An autopsy revealed that he died of a single gunshot injury to his upper left arm, which then entered his torso.
Police said that the scene was chaotic with many people present. The following scenario was uncovered by investigators that led to the shooting.
Kirk lived upstairs with his father, brothers, and girlfriend. Kirk was in conflict with Wells after his ex-girlfriend left him following a long relationship. According to the charges, multiple witnesses claimed that Kirk’s ex-girlfriend had antagonized him and incited conflict between them.
Kirk and his ex-girlfriend got into an argument the night before the shooting.
Wells stated that he didn’t like Kirk’s loud music and went downstairs to cut the power to Kirk’s bedroom. Kirk was able to take his firearm downstairs because he was allowed to carry it.
Kirk and Wells started to fight, and Kirk was punched by Wells and other young men downstairs, according to the charges.
Kirk’s father claimed that he heard gunshots, and ran downstairs to check on him. According to the charges, he told police that he witnessed Wells telling Kirk to shoot him. Wells fled out the back door and ran back into the duplex.
Wells was on the loose for five days before surrendering to police.
According to charges, Wells stated that he didn’t intend to kill the dude and that he thought he would live.
Judge Gilligan stated Tuesday that Wells had “precipitated the face-to-face fighting” by cutting off power to Kirk’s unit. Gilligan pointed out that Wells claimed to police that he and a girlfriend planned to flee to avoid trouble. Gilligan stated that Wells did instead do something that caused Mr. Kirk to get armed.
‘Shining light’
Kirk was a member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 13. His older brother John Kirk stated that he had just passed the journeyman Class B exam. Ellison read his victim impact statement.
Kirk stated, “He was the hardest working of all of us.”
Molly Diers, president IATSE Local 13 said Jarrell Kirk was “a joy to work with” as well as “up and coming within our union.”
“We all expected he would have an extended career,” Diers said, describing him as a “shining star”.
Ruth Yarbrough, Ruth’s grandmother, also made an impact statement. She said that her heart was full of love and honor for her grandson.
“He is my grandson forever and that will never go away from me.” Yarbrough stated, “And I pray for You,” directing her comments to Wells.
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