A Cedar Rapids woman charged in the fatal shooting of Cordal Lewis in January 2022 pleaded Monday to robbery and other charges and faces up to 27 years in prison.

Pierra Baugh, 34, originally charged with first-degree murder, pleaded to second-degree robbery, first-degree theft of a person, conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony and accessory after the fact.

Baugh, during what was set for a motions hearing before her trial was to start Tuesday in Linn County District Court, admitted she planned and had specific intent to rob Lewis, 19, with Kazius Childress, who threatened and then fatally shot Lewis with a firearm on Jan. 27, 2022.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns, during the plea, said by pleading guilty Baugh admits to taking items — money and jewelry — from Lewis and that she knew Childress killed him during the robbery.

In the plea, she also admitted to concealing the gun used by Childress and aided Childress after the shooting.

According to Childress’ trial in January, Baugh told Clee Barney that she took the gun used to kill Lewis out of the Barneys’ mailbox, where Childress had left it, and hid it in the basement. Baugh lived with Barney at the time.

Barney didn’t know where the gun was, but police found it at his house. After the shooting Barney was convicted in federal court for possessing a gun as a felon, but not for the murder weapon. It was for Baugh’s gun, also found in Barney’s house.

Barney also testified that Baugh told him they planned to rob Lewis but not kill him.

Baugh made Alford pleas to the robbery, theft and conspiracy charges. An Alford plea is when a defendant maintains innocence but admits the prosecution has enough evidence to convict at trial.

Bruns said the charges will run consecutively to each other and Baugh faces up to 27 years in prison, according to the plea agreement. She must also serve a mandatory five years on the second-degree robbery conviction before being eligible for parole.

The first-degree murder charged will be dismissed at sentencing, as part of the plea agreement.

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks, after the plea hearing, told The Gazette that Baugh didn’t point the gun or shoot Lewis but she participated in the planning and helped commit the robbery.

“Even though the video of the homicide shows she tried to prevent Kazius Childress from shooting Cordal Lewis, it was too little and too late,” Maybanks said. “She had already participated in key events that led to that moment. She took property from Lewis while Childress robbed him. She also refused to cooperate with investigators when given the opportunity.”

Maybanks said as with every case, there’s a risk in going to trial and the prosecution “could end up with an unacceptably more lenient sentence.”

“This is a fair and just outcome that takes into account those risks and ensures Ms. Baugh will serve a significant amount of time in prison for the role she played. It’s another step in getting justice for Cordal Lewis.”

Maybanks said Lewis’ family supported the plea agreement.

Baugh’s sentencing hasn’t been set at this time.

Co-conspirator

Childress, 23, of Cedar Rapids, originally charged with first-degree murder, pleaded to second-degree murder, in the middle of his trial.

During the plea, Childress admitted to firing multiple times at Lewis, and that he acted with malice and intended to kill him. He also admitted that Lewis didn’t have a gun and he fired at Lewis as Lewis was running away from him.

According to trial testimony, Lewis was running away from Childress, who fired 11 times, striking Lewis multiple times in the back. Lewis was found dead in the 300 block of 31st St. Dr. SE. The bullets hit Lewis’ sternum and went through his heart. Police found nine shell casings at the scene.

Childress also admitted, during his plea, the he and Baugh, stole money and some jewelry that Lewis was wearing before shooting him.

Bruns, in April, sentenced Childress up to 50 years in prison with a mandatory 35 years that must be served before he is eligible for parole.

Childress is also charged with first-degree murder and going armed with intent in the fatal shooting of Kavon I. Johnson, 22, of Cedar Rapids, who was killed the day after Lewis on Jan. 28, 2022. His trial is set for Sept. 24.

Another conspirator, Qiuinyana Nare Jones, 24, who is charged with first-degree robbery/inflict or attempt serious injury or armed with dangerous weapon and accessory after the fact. Her trial is set for Dec. 10.