ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) — On Monday, Olmsted County Judge Christa Daily sentenced Nautica Cox, 25, to the maximum prison term following her guilty plea to three counts.
Cox will spend a maximum of 360 months in prison for his role in the murder of Todd Banks Jr.
Todd Banks Jr. of Minneapolis was shot and killed in June 2021 near 1st Ave. and 3rd St. SW in Rochester.
Derrick Days, 29, of St. Paul was charged and convicted of Banks Jr.’s murder. in March 2023
The court proceedings began with victim impact statements from Laneice Bryant, Banks Jr.’s mother. She asked the judge to give Cox the maximum sentence for his crimes.
“Cox cannot spend enough time in prison to bring my son back,” Bryant said.
State’s Attorney Eric Woodford mentioned that he believed the murder “very likely could have been a double homicide” after an additional victim was also wounded in the shooting.
Woodford and his team asked for a maximum sentence of 360 months in prison for the charges against Cox.
John Brooks represented Cox in court and after pleading guilty in September, he agreed to the state’s recommended 360-month sentence.
Cox pleaded guilty to three charges:
- Count 2 – Aiding and aiding and abetting second degree murder (without intent)
- Count 3 – Aiding and aiding and abetting first degree assault
- Count 4 – Unauthorized possession of a firearm
Numbers two and three will be operated consecutively for 180 months each. The fourth number will serve for 60 months in parallel with the numbers 2 and 3.
Cox rose to address the court. He apologized and expressed the regret he felt for his actions, and mentioned that Bryant “should never have been forced to bury her son.”
“I’m sorry for my actions. I know (Mrs. Bryant) can’t forgive me today, but I hope you eventually can,’ Cox said.
Judge Daily addressed the court before handing down the sentence. She stated that the courts were “trying for justice, not fairness” for Bryant and her deceased son.
After the verdict, Bryant was asked if she felt justice was served for her and her family.
“I mean, all I could do was accept what the judge gave them. I mean, I want more, but he showed some compassion or something,” Bryant said. “You know, justice will serve. I just have to leave the rest in God’s hands.”
In addition, Cox will have to pay more than $7,000 in restitution.
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