SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - One of a half-dozen people accused in the killing of a 63-year-old Springfield man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Greene County Circuit Judge Calvin Holden convicted 27-year-old William Reed of first-degree murder Friday, then pronounced the sentence. KYTV reports Reed agreed to a bench trial in return for prosecutors waiving their request for the death penalty.
Reed, also of Springfield, was among six people charged in the fatal stabbing of Stephen Rash in December 2008.
Rash's wife, Theresa Rash, is among three defendants awaiting trial. Authorities said Theresa Rash plotted the killing and recruited the other participants.
Two other people have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder. Both are waiting to be sentenced.
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Information from: KYTV-TV, http://www.ky3.com