You may have heard on the news, Ive forgiven him, said David Munz, the victims father. But this doesnt mean I forgive what he did.

Strapped to a wheelchair with his hands shackled on his lap, Michael R. Green pled guilty last Tuesday to reckless homicide of Joe Munz, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student who was killed last semester.

Munz died Oct. 10 after he was shot multiple times while making a delivery for Jimmy Johns on the 3200 block of N. Weil St. in Riverwest.

Green was arrested on Oct. 25 and confessed to the crime during interrogation by police. According to the District Attorney William J. Molitor, Green could receive a maximum penalty of 263 years in prison and 117 years of extended supervision.

However, Molitor asked for only 60 years in jail with an undetermined amount of extended supervision. He also asked for the family to be reimbursed for the funeral and burial costs.

Any jail time Green is given will not be subject for early parole from good behavior due to Wisconsins Truth in Sentencing Law, which requires convicts to serve their full sentence.

Originally, Green was charged with intentional homicide as a habitual criminal but charges were changed to reckless homicide as a habitual criminal because, according to Anne Bowe, Greens defense attorney, he did not plan to kill anyone the night Munz died.

He did not set out that night even to do a robbery â?¦ He certainly did not expect any resistance, Bowe said.

In addition to a guilty plea for reckless homicide, Green also admitted to attempted armed robbery, possession of a firearm and armed robbery as a party to a crime. All crimes were as a habitual criminal. He also pled guilty to several previous crimes dealing with burglary.

By pleading guilty, Green gave up his rights to a jury trial.

With Munzs parents holding hands throughout most of the trial, Molitor said for the record, His parents should be proud of what he did â?¦ he was a brave young man.

Despite Greens crimes, Munzs family said they forgive him.

You may have heard on the news, Ive forgiven him, said David Munz, the victims father. But this doesnt mean I forgive what he did.

The family also said they do not hold the university or Jimmy Johns accountable for the murder.

Joe was very comfortable here in Milwaukee. He really enjoyed living here, David Munz said. He was proud to show his old man around then he came to town.

The trial began on Monday, March 26. However, proceedings were delayed when Greens lawyers asked Judge William W. Brash to throw out Greens confession testimony to police from when he was arrested in fall. Brash denied the request, prompting the defense to plead guilty.

The final sentencing for Green will be on Friday, May 18, at 8:30 a.m. at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room 634.

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