Man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker has been sentenced to 21 years in prison

UPDATED with the latest: A man who shot and killed singer Lady Gaga’s dog walker while stealing two French bulldogs pleaded not guilty today to attempted murder and was immediately sentenced to 21 years in prison.

James Howard Jackson, 20, pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted murder with aggravated assault, but also admitted to a prior assault related to the February 24, 2021 attack on Lady Gaga’s longtime dog walker Ryan Fischer, who was in court on Monday for the hearing. and scolded the accused, saying the shooting had changed his life forever.

In exchange for his plea to the attempted murder count, prosecutors dismissed charges of second-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and felony carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.

“The plea agreement keeps Mr. Jackson responsible for committing a cold-blooded act of violence and ensuring justice for our victim,” the prosecutor said in a statement. A total of five people were arrested in connection with the incident.

Lafayette Shon Whaley (28) pleaded not guilty to second-degree robbery charges earlier this year and was sentenced to six years in prison. He pleaded guilty to previous strikes on a criminal threats hearing in 2016. Two other charges against him, including attempted murder, were dismissed based on his plea.

Whaley’s plea comes eight days after co-defendant Jaylin Keyshawn White, 20, pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery and admitted another defendant was armed during the attack. White was sentenced to four years in prison on August 3.

Jennifer McBride — who police said reported finding the dogs and responding to a reward email to return them — is accused of aiding and abetting them and receiving stolen property has.

The 52-year-old woman who brought the dogs to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Olympic division was reportedly in a relationship with Harold White, Jaylin White’s father, now 42.

Harold White pleaded no contest Monday to possession of a firearm with a previous conviction. Prosecutors say he will be sentenced next year.

EARLY April 29, 2021: Five people have been arrested in the recent shooting of Lady Gaga’s dog walker and the theft of the singer’s two French bulldogs, Los Angeles police said today. Among those arrested was the woman who returned the dogs two nights after the Feb. 24 crime in hopes of a $500,000 reward.

Police say the suspects were unaware of Gaga’s connection to the dogs. Three of the suspects, respectively 18, 19 and 27 years old, are gang members who knew the value of the breed.

James Jackson (18) was arrested and charged with attempted murder and armed robbery; Jaylin White, 19; and Lafayette Whaley (27). Harold White, Jaylin White’s 40-year-old father, and Jennifer McBride, 50, were later accused of acting as accomplices.

Gaga’s dog walker and friend Ryan Fischer was shot once but survived. A third dog he was walking near Sierra Bonita Avenue and Sunset Boulevard was not stolen.

According to the LAPD, McBride claimed she found the dogs, named Koji and Gustav, and took them to the department’s Olympic station to collect the reward, which was posted on Instagram by the singer and actress, who was filming in Italy earlier. has House of Gucci.

Police later determined McBride was in a relationship with the older white man.

Jackson, Whaley and both whites “are all documented Los Angeles gang members,” the LAPD said in its report.

Fischer posted an Instagram update on his condition last month, thanking first responders and telling Gaga, “Your babies are back and the family is very…”

The City News Service contributed to this report.