(AP) – One of five people charged in the shooting death of a Joplin man has entered a plea deal that will require him to testify against the alleged shooter.
Seventeen-year-old Marcus Stephens pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and first-degree burglary in the July death of Jacob Wages. The deal will limit his prison term to 15 years for murder and five years for burglary.
Under the deal, Stephens will be required to testify against Daniel Hartman, the only suspect charged with first-degree murder and burglary.
Prosecutors say the suspects broke into Wages’ home because they believed he had $5,000 and a pound of Ecstasy pills.
Testimony at earlier hearings indicated Wages woke up and grabbed a gun but was shot before he could defend himself.