Columbia man pleads guilty to manslaughter in Doris Drive killing
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a killing on Doris Drive earlier this year.
Justin Shelton, 26, pleaded guilty to a felony count of second-degree involuntary manslaughter in the Feb. 5 shooting death of 17-year-old Joseph Taylor.
Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said Shelton admitted to bringing Taylor to the residence in the 1400 block of Doris Drive to purchase marijuana from another defendant in the case, Noah Swyers.
Swingle said Shelton made an open plea and could be sentenced to probation up to four years in prison. Shelton's sentencing hearing was scheduled for Jan. 21, 2021.
Two others are charged in the same case -- Swyers, 23, and Gracie Avery, 20, both of Columbia.
Avery originally faced a felony count of murder -- the charge has since been lowered to a count of hindering prosecution of a felony.
Swingles said a grand jury indicted Swyers on Nov. 6 on charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and felony possession of a firearm.
A resident at the home of the shooting told police Shelton and Taylor broke into a bedroom. The resident also said Taylor set down a gun inside the room, which the resident used to fatally shoot the teen.
Swyers was arrested last month and booked into the Boone County Jail on a $250,000 bond. His next court date was set for Dec. 22.
