Shooter Pleads to Lesser Charge

As his third trial was set to begin Wednesday, a gang member accused of fatally shooting the half-sister of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter.

Robert Edward Maxfield faces 15 years in state prison in the death of Yetunde Price. He is to be sentenced April 6 by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Steven C. Suzukawa in Compton.

Maxfield, 25, was accused of firing an AK-47 assault rifle at the victim’s sports utility vehicle shortly before midnight on Sept. 14, 2003, killing Price as she and her boyfriend drove through Compton.

The boyfriend, Rolland Wormley, was driving but was uninjured.

Two prior juries heard the evidence against Maxfield but deadlocked on the more serious murder charge -- most recently 11 to 1 for conviction. If he had been found guilty, Maxfield faced life in prison.

“When you have a case that hangs twice, there are obvious issues and it is difficult for the victim’s family,� Deputy Dist. Atty. Hoon Chun said. “I think this represents a very fair resolution of the case.�

Price’s former mother-in-law, who has represented the victim’s family in court, told Chun she was satisfied with the results.

“I think that they are relieved more than anything else that there is resolution in this case,� Chun said.

The Williams sisters have not been present at any court proceedings.

The 31-year-old divorced mother of three was shot outside a suspected Crips drug house in the 1100 block of East Greenleaf Boulevard, not far from the courts where Serena and Venus learned to play tennis.

Authorities said they were driving past the house moments after a flash of gunfire in the area and were targeted by gang members. Wormley took Price, who was shot in the head, to his mother’s home nearby and called 911.

Charges against Maxfield’s co-defendant, Aaron Michael Hammer, 26, were dismissed in November 2004 after a jury deadlocked 9 to 3 in favor of acquittal.

He had been charged with shooting a .22-caliber handgun at Price’s vehicle but not striking her or her companion.

Maxfield’s lawyer, Robin Yanes, did not return telephone calls.