Homicide Defendant Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder

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During a Sept. 6 hearing, a murder defendant rejected a plea offer in connection to a 2017 shooting.

Derek Turner, 31, is charged with second-degree murder, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy in the shooting of 28-year-old Andrew McPhatter, on March 5, 2017, on the 3500 block of Wheeler Road, SE. Turner is also charged with second-degree murder for shooting 23-year-old Devin Hall, on Jan. 7, 2017, on the 3500 block of 6th Street, SE.

During the hearing, Turner pleaded guilty to both second-degree murder charges. Both parties settled on 14.5 years in prison for each charge. Turner will serve them both sentences consecutively.

He is scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 7 with his co-defendant Ronnika Jennings for other charges he faces in another case.

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