Another Twin Cities Man Sent to Prison For Rochester Man's Murder

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Minneapolis man was sentenced today for his involvement in a Rochester murder case.

25-year-old Nautica Cox and a man from South St. Paul were arrested and charged following the shooting death of a Rochester man in downtown Rochester in the early morning hours of June 6, 2021. 28-year-old Todd Banks Jr. was killed and another man was critically injured when gunfire erupted during a fight over a dice game on the sidewalk outside the city parking ramp on 1st Avenue Southwest.

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According to the criminal complaint in the case, Cox was involved in the altercation and was seen by a Rochester police officer firing a handgun in the direction of a group of people that had gathered near the entrance to the parking ramp and outside a former downtown Rochester bar. Cox was arrested after he ran into a nearby alley and was chased by the officer.

Kim David/TSM

He was charged with two counts of aiding and abetting second-degree murder, aiding and abetting attempted second-degree murder, and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In September, he entered guilty pleas to one count of aiding and abetting second-degree murder, a charge of aiding and abetting second-degree assault, along with the weapons charge.

St. Cloud State Prison-Minnesota Dept. of Corrections photo

Today, Cox was sentenced to consecutive 180 month prison terms, for a total of 30 years in prison, for his conviction on the most serious charges. In addition, he was given a 5 year prison sentence for the illegal possession of a firearm conviction, but he will be allowed to serve that time concurrently with the longer prison terms. He was also given credit for 123 days he has already served in jail.

Minnesota Department of Corrections photo

The man who actually shot and killed the Rochester man was sentenced last year to more than 35 years in prison. 29-year-old Derrick Days entered guilty pleas to second-degree murder and second-degree assault charges stemming from the death of Todd Banks Jr.

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