A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Tuesday to the November shooting that left a Northern Liberties man paralyzed from the neck down.
According to court records, Christopher Easter of the 1500 block of Poplar Street pleaded guilty to seven counts including attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery and weapons charges. His victim, Kevin Neary, was just 29 when the attack happened.
Neary was shot and robbed as he walked along the 700 block of Bodine Street after watching Monday Night Football with some friends on Nov. 15, 2011.
Easter approached Neary with a handgun and tried to rob him, police said.
"(The Victim) didn't resist," said Police Lt. Patrick Dougherty said at the time of Easter's arrest. "Before he had a chance to even respond the male shot him in the head."
The gunfire awoke Neary's roommate and some neighbors who called for help.
Neary was unable to speak in the days following the shooting, and communicated with his family through letters on a board. After months of physical therapy and numerous surgeries, Neary told reporters in April that he hoped to continue the road to recovery while helping others.
βWhat I could do to help other people that have similar injuries to mine and also how I can help other people whoβve been the victims of gun violence.β
Easter, now 21, will be sentenced Wednesday after Neary's family members are allowed to make statements in court.