Suspect takes plea deal in Columbia McDonald’s drive-thru killing

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man originally charged with murder in a deadly shooting in the drive-thru of a Columbia McDonald's was sentenced to prison Thursday.

Correy Greene, 36, pleaded guilty to illegal transfer of a weapon and illegal gun possession in the 2020 shooting death of Marqukis Hayes at a McDonald’s on Clark Lane in Columbia. A second-degree murder charge and an armed criminal action charge were dropped in exchange for the plea, court records show.

Judge Brouck Jacobs sentenced Greene to seven years on the illegal transfer charge and 10 years in prison on the illegal gun possession charge. Sentences in Missouri usually run concurrently unless specified by a judge.

Police alleged that Greene had bought the gun that was used to kill Hayes. Court documents claim Hayes and Greene were in a truck with Angelica Benitez when Benitez shot Hayes. Greene allegedly told police he didn't know the reason for the shooting, but Benitez reportedly said Hayes had "snitched" on Greene.

An abadoned truck containing Hayes' body was found three days after the shooting.

Benitez was sentenced to 28 years in prison.