Spencer Whitt, 18, is the third person convicted in the death of Rick D. Scott Jr.
SPRINGFIELD — The third defendant accused in the robbery and killing of a 21-year-old man pleaded guilty Thursday to his murder.
Spencer Whitt, 18, was scheduled to go on trial Monday on charges of murder in the death of Rick D. Scott Jr., but instead pleaded guilty to a murder charge before Clark County Common Pleas Judge Richard J. O’Neill.
Scott, 21, of 39 E. Cecil St., was shot in the chest on March 5 in the 1000 block of North Fountain Avenue near Cecil Street.
He was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Whitt, Justin S. Schell, 17, and Jonathan D. Kittle, 18, were initially charged with one count each of murder and aggravated robbery in Scott’s death.
Schell pleaded guilty in May to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped a murder charge and asked that Schell be sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in Scott’s slaying, but he had to testify “truthfully” against Whitt, according to court documents.
Kittle also pleaded guilty to murder and robbery charges for his role in Scott’s death last month and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, according to court documents.
Whitt is scheduled to appear before O’Neill at 9 a.m. today in a disposition hearing.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or tlatta@coxohio.com.
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