LINCOLN, Neb. – A woman has been sentenced to up to 12 years in prison for her involvement in a fatal shooting during a robbery in Lincoln last year. Anna Feilen, 20, pleaded no contest to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery in the Lancaster County District Court. The incident occurred in February 2021 when Deontae Rush, 27, shot and killed James Shekie, 33, during a break-in and robbery at Shekie’s home.
The motive behind the robbery was an attempt to steal drugs from the residence. Court documents revealed that Rush, who was Feilen’s ex-boyfriend, carried out the shooting. Investigators uncovered Facebook messages between Feilen and her brother, Marques Moten, which detailed their plan to steal several pounds of marijuana from the trailer home where Feilen and Shekie lived.
In connection to the case, Feilen’s brother, Moten, was also arrested and has already been sentenced to 35-45 years in prison for conspiracy to commit robbery. Rush, on the other hand, was found guilty of first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year.
The sentencing of Anna Feilen marks a significant step towards justice for the senseless killing of James Shekie. Feilen’s active participation in the planning of the robbery serves as a reminder of the consequences one faces for their involvement in criminal activities.
The court’s decision highlights the severity of the crimes committed and sends a message that such actions will not go unpunished. The lives lost and the irreversible impact on the victims’ families underscore the tragic consequences of illegal drug activities. The pursuit and theft of drugs should never justify or lead to violence.
In this case, justice has been served, and the sentences handed down to those responsible for the robbery-turned-murder stand as a reminder that our society will continue to hold individuals accountable for their actions. The Lincoln community, along with law enforcement agencies, will continue to work diligently to prevent and prosecute violent crimes, ensuring the safety of its residents.
