Man accused of murder pleads guilty to lesser charge

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A St. Louis man accused of a Jefferson City killing pleaded guilty to a lesser charge on Monday.

Marquis D. Avant pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon after he was originally charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and tampering with evidence.

Avant was accused in connection with the killing of Robert Scott in the 300 block of Hickory Street in April.

A large party of about 100 to 150 people was taking place at the time of the shooting, according to court documents.

Avant told police he fired two shots into the air after the crowd began getting rowdy. Other gunshots rang out afterward. Scott was later found dead. Another person was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

According to the documents, police searched Avant's room and found a box of 9 mm ammo and a live bullet. Documents said the bullets found in Avant's room were the same type of bullet casings found on the front porch of the house.

Avant was sentenced to five years of probation on Monday, according to online court filings.