Man pleads guilty in fatal robbery of Carter High, Texas Tech basketball star Andre Emmett

A man admitted Monday his role in the slaying of Dallas basketball standout Andre Emmett. Keith Johnson pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated robbery in exchange for 20 years in prison.

Johnson was part of a group that followed Emmett to his home in the early hours of Sept. 23, 2019, and intended to rob him, Dallas County prosecutors said during the trial last month for the shooter, Larry Daquan Jenkins.

Jenkins was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Johnson, 35, was also charged with capital murder and was scheduled to stand trial next month. But he accepted a deal from prosecutors, Johnson told State District Judge Chika Anyiam.

Anyiam approved the deal.

Another man, Michael Lucky, is also charged with Emmett’s killing. His case is pending.

Emmett was 37 and a father to two young daughters when he was killed outside his home. He graduated from Carter High School in Dallas, and Texas Tech University and played basketball at both schools. His basketball career took him to the NBA, overseas leagues and the Big3, a three-on-three basketball league founded by actor and rapper Ice Cube. The league retired Emmett’s jersey this year. Emmett was passionate about giving back to his community, his mother Regina Oliver said Monday in court.

Emmett drove into his garage moments before he was approached by his attackers and told to surrender two chains and a watch. Home surveillance video showed Emmett handed over his jewelry before running away as one of the attackers shot him.

Johnson was silent as Emmett’s mother spoke to him before sheriff’s deputies led him outside the courtroom to jail.

Oliver said she was filled with questions: Did Johnson know her son and the morals he stood for? How was Johnson impacted when he saw her son gunned down? Did he regret his involvement?

Johnson faced her but said nothing. A medical mask covered his mouth.

“I have been praying for you,” Oliver said. “because I’m just that kind of mama.”