By Associated Press9:17 AM CDT, April 21, 2009ANNISTON, Ala. (AP) — A Piedmont man has pleaded guilty to intentionally killing his girlfriend in 2007 after intially claiming it was an accidental shooting.
Derrick Scott Thompson, 31, shot Menechia Coheely, 28, of Piedmont July 19, 2007, while she was sitting in a car.
Lawyers were prepared for jury selection in his murder trial Monday when Thompson changed his plea, said defense attorney Fred Lawton III.
Under a plea deal, he faces a 27-and-a-half year sentence. His attorney said Thompson will spend at least 13 years in prison.
Sentencing is set for May 19 in Calhoun County court.
Because Thompson has prior convictions, he faced life in prison for a murder conviction, or a minimum of 20 years for a manslaughter conviction.
By Associated Press9:17 AM CDT, April 21, 2009ANNISTON, Ala. (AP) — A Piedmont man has pleaded guilty to intentionally killing his girlfriend in 2007 after intially claiming it was an accidental shooting.
Derrick Scott Thompson, 31, shot Menechia Coheely, 28, of Piedmont July 19, 2007, while she was sitting in a car.
Lawyers were prepared for jury selection in his murder trial Monday when Thompson changed his plea, said defense attorney Fred Lawton III.
Under a plea deal, he faces a 27-and-a-half year sentence. His attorney said Thompson will spend at least 13 years in prison.
Sentencing is set for May 19 in Calhoun County court.
Because Thompson has prior convictions, he faced life in prison for a murder conviction, or a minimum of 20 years for a manslaughter conviction.
Prosecutors claim that Thompson shot and killed 28-year-old Menechia Coheely as she sat in her car at their Piedmont home on July 19, 2007.
Defense attorney Fred Lawton contends the shooting was an unfortunate accident. He says Thompson had a rifle that day because he was checking on his rabbit traps.
Assistant District Attorney Brian McVeigh argues the shooting was intentional.
Because Thompson has prior convictions, he faces life in prison for a murder conviction, or a minimum of 20 years for a manslaughter conviction.
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