Last teen convicted in Michael McCune murder faces up to 60 years

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids teen, after turning down two previous plea agreements, accepted one Tuesday, admitting he planned with three other teens to kill 16-year-old Michael Alexander McCune in 2023.

However, in this plea agreement, Tramontez Lockett, 18, faces an additional 10 years for a total of up to 60 years in prison. He also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and first-degree theft.

The theft and conspiracy charges will run concurrently to each other and consecutively to the murder charge for a total of 60 years, according to the plea.

The first and second plea offers — only to second-degree murder — included sentences of up to 50 years.

Lockett, originally charged with first-degree murder, made Alford pleas to second-degree murder and conspiracy, meaning he didn’t admit guilt but admits the prosecution has sufficient evidence to prove his guilt.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns asked Lockett if he admitted the prosecution could prove there was a discussion among him and the three other teens convicted in this case about finding McCune and shooting him.

Lockett agreed.

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Bruns also asked if Lockett would acknowledge that one of the other teens would say it was Lockett who asked McCune to come outside and when McCune did, others fatally shot him. Lockett said yes.

Lockett also admitted that the teens got back in the RAV4 he had stolen and he drove them away from the scene after fatally shooting McCune.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Ryan Decker said the sentencing will be open, so each side can argue for or against a possible mandatory minimum before Lockett would be eligible for parole. Because Lockett is a juvenile, he won’t be subject to the automatic mandatory minimum as adults are, but the sentencing judge does have discretion on imposing one.

By taking this plea, Lockett avoids the risk of being convicted of first-degree murder and facing life in prison with parole. The remaining charge of going armed with intent will be dismissed and another theft case he faces also will be dismissed at sentencing, as part of the plea.

The other teens involved have been convicted of their roles in the “targeted” fatal shooting of McCune over past conflicts stemming from their rival gang affiliations and the time some of them spent together at the State Training School in Eldora.

According to hearings and criminal complaints in the case, Lockett, who was 16 on Feb. 18, 2023, started the deadly chain of events that night, as he messaged McCune through Snapchat, according to court documents.

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Lockett knew McCune was on a home visit from the Eldora training school and arranged to pick up McCune at the Tan Tara Apartments, 1640 F Ave. NW in Cedar Rapids.

Lockett and Gardner, 17 at the time, were identified on a video surveillance as stealing a vehicle earlier in the day and picking up Irvin, 15 at the time, and Berry, 16 at the time, before heading over to the apartments.

When they got to the apartment building and saw McCune, Irvin and Berry started shooting at him, according to court hearings. One of them ran into the apartment building, continuing to shoot at McCune at close range.

Cedar Rapids police found McCune with eight gunshot wounds about 11:30 a.m. Feb. 18 inside the entryway of one of the apartment buildings. The fatal shot was to the top of his head, according to the complaint.

Lockett’s sentencing is set for March 24.

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