Judgement in case of Jefferson City shooter reversed, sent back to Cole County court

The case of a Jefferson City man, sentenced to prison for two separate shootings, is sent back to Cole County court.

Jaquan Whirley, 22, was sentenced to seven years in prison last year after pleading guilty to unlawful use of a weapon.  Whirley was charged in connection with a shooting that happened in December of 2018 on Case Avenue.  Over a dozen shell casings were found and one person was hurt but did not need hospitalization.  A home and some vehicles were hit by gunfire.

Whirley also pleaded guilty to accessory to first-degree assault in connection with the shooting of a teenage girl in March of 2020.  The seven-year sentence covered both cases.

The case was appealed to the Western District Court of Appeals, which ruled that the state court made an error when it sentenced Whirley to seven years in prison, saying the charge he pleaded guilty to required a 15-year sentence.  The appeals court reversed and remanded the decision.  On Wednesday, Cole County Judge Cotton Walker announced that the judgement was vacated and the case will move back through the circuit court system.

Whirley will have the option to withdraw his guilty plea as the case is retried.Â