Post by CCADP on Aug 30, 2005 6:07:26 GMT -5
Co-defendant of Cheever's pleads guilty
In exchange for his deal, Billy G. Nowell will testify against Scott Cheever, who's accused of killing Greenwood County Sheriff Matt Samuels.
BY HURST LAVIANA
The Wichita Eagle
One of the co-defendants in the Scott Cheever capital murder case pleaded guilty Monday to two felony charges and has agreed to testify at Cheever's trial.
Billy G. Nowell pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamines and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
He is one of five people charged along with Cheever in U.S. District Court in Wichita for their alleged roles in the Jan. 19 shooting death of Greenwood County Sheriff Matt Samuels.
Investigators said Samuels was killed while trying to serve a warrant at a remote house in the Hilltop area of northeast Greenwood County. Cheever was wanted for a parole violation at the time.
Cheever also is charged with trying to kill two deputies as they followed Samuels into the house.
During Monday's hearing, U.S. District Judge Monti Belot told Newell he would face a minimum of five years in prison on each count.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors will be permitted to recommend a shorter sentence if Newell provides "substantial assistance" in testifying at Cheever's trial or any other hearings involving the case.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Cheever, saying that he was guarding a methamphetamine lab in the house where Samuels was killed, and that he shot Samuels to protect the drug trafficking operation.
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Reach Hurst Laviana at 268-6499 or hlaviana@wichitaeagle.com.
In exchange for his deal, Billy G. Nowell will testify against Scott Cheever, who's accused of killing Greenwood County Sheriff Matt Samuels.
BY HURST LAVIANA
The Wichita Eagle
One of the co-defendants in the Scott Cheever capital murder case pleaded guilty Monday to two felony charges and has agreed to testify at Cheever's trial.
Billy G. Nowell pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamines and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
He is one of five people charged along with Cheever in U.S. District Court in Wichita for their alleged roles in the Jan. 19 shooting death of Greenwood County Sheriff Matt Samuels.
Investigators said Samuels was killed while trying to serve a warrant at a remote house in the Hilltop area of northeast Greenwood County. Cheever was wanted for a parole violation at the time.
Cheever also is charged with trying to kill two deputies as they followed Samuels into the house.
During Monday's hearing, U.S. District Judge Monti Belot told Newell he would face a minimum of five years in prison on each count.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors will be permitted to recommend a shorter sentence if Newell provides "substantial assistance" in testifying at Cheever's trial or any other hearings involving the case.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Cheever, saying that he was guarding a methamphetamine lab in the house where Samuels was killed, and that he shot Samuels to protect the drug trafficking operation.
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Reach Hurst Laviana at 268-6499 or hlaviana@wichitaeagle.com.