Second Man Convicted in Murder of Shea Stremcha; Third Man to Stand Trial

A second man charged with the murder of 2004 Northfield High School graduate Shea Stremcha has pleaded guilty in Hennepin County District Court.

Semaj Williams, 22, of Brooklyn Park, pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder last week just before a trial was set to begin, according to the Star Tribune.

Williams faced a possible life sentence for first-degree murder and first-degree burglary stemming from the July 20, 2011, incident in which Stremcha was killed. Williams' sentencing is scheduled for March 26; he is expected to serve a 38-year prison sentence.

Robert Emmanuel Shelby, 28, of St. Paul, pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder charge in April. With the plea, a burglary charged was dropped. He is expected to serve a 35-year prison sentence.

Minneapolis Police originally said Shelby broke into Stremcha’s south Minneapolis home in the early hours of July 20, 2011, and then shot Stremcha in the chest once and fled, leaving Stremcha bleeding to death on his hallway floor. Williams was with Shelby during the incident, police said.

A third man, who wasn't originally included in charging documents last year, is now believed to be the man who pulled the trigger, according to the Star Tribune.

Xavier Demia Walker, 25, is now also charged in the case and is scheduled to stand trial on first-degree murder charges on March 4.

The newspaper reports that the Hennepin County Attorney's Office said Williams admitted in court that the three men planned a break-in and robbery that night at the nearby home of a drug dealer to steal money and drugs. He said they broke into the wrong house and when Stremcha came around the corner, Walker shot him.

According to Minnesota Court records, Shelby has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for drug charges, fleeing a police officer and possessing a firearm. In 2006, Williams was convicted of aggravated robbery, according to court records. In 2006, Walker was convicted of simple robbery and in 2007 he was convicted of illegally possession a firearm.

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