A Jewett City man known as “Soda Pop” on the street pleaded guilty in New London Superior Court this morning to taking part in a robbery shortly before Namdi Smart was gunned down on Lake Street in Norwich in August 2010.

Tjamel Hendrickson, 25, will be sentenced July 22 to 18 months in prison for second-degree robbery. He pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine, meaning he does not agree with the state’s version of events but does not want to risk a longer sentence if convicted at trial.

According to testimony at the December 2012 murder trial of Darnell “Boo-Boo” Moore, Hendrickson and Moore robbed a man as they were all hanging out together on Lake Street. Hendrickson and Moore grabbed the victim, struck him and went through is pockets, according to prosecutor David J. Smith.

Namdi Smart stood up to Moore after the incident, and Moore returned to the scene with a .45-caliber pistol and killed him, according to testimony. At Moore’s trial, Hendrickson invoked his right to remain silent and did not testify.