A Charleston man pleaded guilty today to first-degree murder andasked that Kanawha Circuit Judge James Stucky show mercy at thesentencing next month. Johnny Sharif Stephens, 25, of 1300Roseberry Circle, admitted this morning to murdering Melvin Locke alittle more than a year ago.
Locke, 19, was killed by four shots from a 9 mm pistol to hisface, left arm and right leg on the afternoon of Feb. 5, 2000.
Locke was found dead outside Stephens' residence. Severalwitnesses reportedly saw the murder, though all failed toconclusively identify the killer.
Stephens was apprehended by Philadelphia police on Feb. 24, 2000,after he had fled the Charleston area and was staying with hisstepfather in Philadelphia.
Stephens admitted that he had shot Locke, but said that he did soin self-defense after Locke attempted to rob him at gunpoint.
Assistant prosecutor Kim Hindman said no weapon was recoveredfrom or around Locke's body.
Stephens, who faces the possibility of life in prison without thepossibility for parole, is set to be sentenced at 9 a.m. April 26.Hindman said her office is recommending that Stucky show mercytoward Stephens and allow the defendant the possibility of paroleafter serving 15 years.
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий