Last defendant pleads guilty in Joplin slaying

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - The last of five suspects pleaded guilty for his role in the death of a Joplin man.

Johnathan Taylor pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder and first-degree burglary in the July 2012 death of 23-year-old Jacob Wages.

Prosecutors say the five suspects mistakenly believed that Wages had drugs and drug money and killed him during a robbery at his home.

The Joplin Globe reports (http://bit.ly/ZfQbSO ) the 21-year-old Taylor's plea deal caps the sentences he could receive at 25 years for the murder conviction and five years burglary, with the sentences running concurrently.

All the other defendants, including Taylor's younger brother, have also pleaded guilty in the case.