Iowa City woman given ten-year prison sentence in Washington County shooting case

Lang
10/27/23

An Iowa City woman has been sentenced to ten years in prison in connection with the shooting of a Coralville man during a botched robbery attempt in Washington County.

Washington Police say 21-year-old Mya Wright of Wheaton Road and 19-year-old Jaden Miller of Columbus Junction shot 42-year-old Kenneth James outside the Woodridge Apartments on West Adams Street on January 7th of 2022.  Miller reportedly approached the driver’s side of James’ vehicle and fired one shot. James drove away, but he crashed his car a short time later and called 9-1-1.

Police say Wright and Miller invited James to Washington under the pretense of conducting a drug deal, but they were actually planning to rob him.  The shooting allegedly occurred during the course of the attempted robbery.

Wright and Miller were each charged with Attempted Murder and 1st Degree Robbery. Wright reached a plea deal and on Friday was given a ten-year prison sentence on a charge of 2nd Degree Robbery. The Attempted Murder charge was dropped.

Miller has also reached a plea deal. His sentencing is set for Tuesday.