According to various reports, four teenagers from Las Vegas have pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in juvenile court following the fatal beating of their schoolmate.

Seventeen-year-old Jonathan Lewis Jr. passed away a few days after he was assaulted in an alley close to Rancho High School on November 1, where he was kicked, punched, and stomped on, as stated by police. Footage of the incident circulated widely online. Authorities indicated that around ten teenagers were involved and at least eight were arrested, aged between 13 and 17, last year.

The altercation reportedly stemmed from disputes over “stolen wireless headphones and, potentially, a stolen marijuana vape pen,” according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson. A homicide detective testified during a grand jury hearing that the video showed Jonathan throwing a punch at one of his peers before being overrun by the others, as reported by the Associated Press.

The minors, whose names have not been disclosed by YSL News due to their status at the time of the events, were initially charged with murder as adults.

Defense attorney Karen Connolly stated in an email that the case was rightfully moved back to juvenile court, where sentencing details remain confidential.

Connolly represents one of the accused teens, who expressed “deep regret” for their involvement in the incident that led to Jonathan’s death. They were described as “not a major participant” in the event.

On Tuesday, the four teens pleaded guilty in juvenile court as part of a plea agreement to avoid being tried as adults, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The agreement required all four to plead guilty, or they would face adult charges once again. The duration of their time in juvenile detention remains uncertain, as minors do not receive fixed sentences and are released after completing rehabilitation programs, explained Brigid Duffy, the director of the Clark County district attorney’s juvenile division.

Mellisa Ready, Jonathan’s mother, expressed her discontent with the plea deal, advocating for stiffer penalties for the teens involved.

“There’s literally no one being held accountable with true punishment for my son’s murder,” she said. “It’s disgusting.”

As of Wednesday, the district attorney’s office had not responded to inquiries for comments. YSL News also reached out to Jonathan’s father.

Police had indicated that the items were stolen from Jonathan’s friend, and that Jonathan intervened on behalf of his friend.

“That’s just the type of person he was,” Jonathan Lewis Sr. shared with YSL News in November. He mentioned that his son was a huge fan of hip-hop music and enjoyed creating digital art.

Contributors: Christopher Cann, YSL News