Two Lawrence men convicted in 2021 shooting death on Kentucky Street

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Javier Romero, 20, of Lawrence, pleaded no contest to murder in the second degree and Andrel D. Spates Jr., 21, of Lawrence, pleaded to voluntary manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of 21-year-old Christian Willis of Wichita.

Charges stem from an incident that occurred in the 1500 block of Kentucky Street on September 8, 2021. 

“Firearm violence is absolutely avoidable and will not be tolerated in our community,” District Attorney Valdez said.

Senior Assistant District Attorney David Greenwald and Senior Assistant District Attorney Ricardo Leal represented the State of Kansas. The matter was investigated by Lawrence Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.  

Romero’s sentencing was set by Judge Stacey Donovan for 1:30 p.m., on March 25, 2024, at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center. Judge Donovan set Spates’ sentencing for 3 p.m., on April 10, 2024, at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Romero faces between 109 and 493 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) and Spates faces between 55 and 247 months in the KDOC.