CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Former Fort Campbell soldier Zackery Alexander has pleaded guilty to the premeditated murder of 2-year-old Joseph Bankston in 2015.
According to court records obtained by ClarksvilleNow, Alexander entered a guilty plea on June 18, 2018, waiving his right to a jury trial or an appeal.
As a result, Alexander was sentenced to life in prison without parole plus 66 years.
Earlier this year he had filed for a motion for a venue change for his trial, but ended up making the plea deal this month.
On October 4, 2015, Brandon Jimenez (also a Fort Campbell soldier) was shot several times and 2-year-old Joseph Bankston was shot and killed at a home on Princeton Dr.
Police determined the shooting was intentional and later arrested Zackery Alexander as the alleged shooter. The toddler’s stepfather, David Wi, who was a Fort Campbell soldier at the time, was also arrested after police discovered the two had reportedly conspired with each other to commit the crime. Police said Wi had hired Alexander in a plan to kill not only Bankston, but also Brandon Jiminez, Lilly Wi, and Alicia Bankston Wi.
Wi was later sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years.
At the time of the incident, Wi was involved a custody battle with his wife and was reportedly listed as the beneficiary of life insurance policies on his wife, daughter, and 2-year-old Joseph.
RELATED:
Men indicted on premeditated murder charges in toddler’s shooting death
Police: Fort Campbell soldiers spoke before, after 2-year-old murdered
Stepfather of murdered toddler arrested
Suspect in killing of toddler is a soldier
$15K reward offered by state for info in toddler shooting
Victim in weekend shooting ID’d as active-duty soldier