One of the suspects accused in the 2016 death of De’Andre Palmer in Oak Grove accepted a plea agreement in Christian Circuit Court Monday.
Deqavion James had been set to begin trial Monday, but instead entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree robbery and tampering with physical evidence—those charges come with a recommended 30-year sentence, with James having to serve at least 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.
According to the Commonwealth’s Plea Offer, on July 16, 2016, James while armed with handgun, was told by co-defendant Leonardo Miller to shoot Palmer when given a nod. When Miler nodded to James, he pulled the trigger and shot Palmer once. Palmer was then allegedly shot a second time by Miller, and he would later die from his injuries.
Final sentencing was set for August 4, but a bond hearing will be held on Thursday. James’ co-defendant, Miller, currently has a trial set to begin on August 9.
Police say they took cash and other items from Palmer’s pockets before putting his body in a closet. Palmer’s body was later moved from the residence and it was discovered a few days later by an Oak Grove police officer near Ghost Bridge on Carter Road.