Attorneys reach a plea deal for a Janesville stabbing suspect in a case prosecutors described as “he said, he said.”
30-year-old Shedrick Baldwin of Beloit was originally charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for the 2018 stabbing of Ladale Johnson over a woman Baldwin was in a relationship with.
He pleaded guilty Tuesday to an amended charge of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, and Rock County Judge Barbara McCrory sentenced him to 14 months in prison followed by 30 months of extended supervision.
Defense attorney Walt Isaacson said Baldwin was being choked by Johnson when he stabbed him, and the two had a prior history of altercations.
Assistant District Attorney Mary Bricco said Baldwin and Johnson had two very different versions of what happened that day, and the plea agreement ensured some form of punishment and community protection.
Baldwin told the court that the previous two years in custody and possibility of facing life in prison has opened his eyes and he thinks it will help turn him around.
