Minneapolis man sentenced in 2016 death of grandmother appeals sentence

A Minneapolis man sentenced for the 2016 death of a grandmother has appealed his sentence.

Court records indicate that Joshua Ezeka argued a court gave him a sentence greater than the maximum amount allowed for what he was convicted of. Ezeka was convicted in 2018 of first-degree and second-degree murder in the death of Birdell Beeks.

Birdell Beeks Killer Gets Life Without Parole

The May 26, 2016, shooting at the intersection of 21st and Penn avenues in north Minneapolis hit Beeks, who was in her vehicle at the time. She was later pronounced dead at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. His attorneys argued Ezeka was attempting to scare a rival gang member whom he believed was on his way to shoot up his home.

Jury Finds Minneapolis Man Guilty of Murder in Birdell Beeks Death

A district court sentenced Ezeka to 360 months in prison for the attempted first-degree murder conviction, but the statutory maximum is 240 months in Minnesota.

The court affirmed Ezeka’s convictions but reversed the sentence and will resentence at a later time.