Plea bargain in murder of Brandon teen - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Plea bargain in murder of Brandon teen

Posted: Updated:
By Wilson Stribling - email

BRANDON, MS (WLBT) - A teenager who was to stand trial Wednesday for his role in the murder of a Brandon High School student is going to prison for a lesser crime.

Martez Harris, 17, pleaded guilty Tuesday to manslaughter and drive-by shooting. He was charged in the death of Ricky Harvey, Jr., who was fatally shot as he was riding his bicycle in Brandon in April of 2009.

Three other men were charged as accessories in the crime -- two pleaded guilty, and the third is awaiting trial.

Harris was facing a murder charge, but his attorney worked out a deal with the Rankin/Madison County District Attorney Michael Guest.

"He agreed to accept that plea bargain after we had cleared that with the (victim's) family," Guest said. "The total sentence that he has received for his involvement in this crime would be 50 years -- the last five of those suspended, leaving him 45 years to serve."

Guest says Harris will also be on probation for five years after his release.

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