Missouri Man Charged with Botched Drug Deal Shooting Death

An 18-year-old who fatally shot another man two years ago during a botched drug deal has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and will serve 12 years in prison.

The Columbia Missourian reports that Navarro Scott was scheduled to go to trial Tuesday. But he pleaded guilty the day before to involuntary manslaughter in the December 2016 death of 33-year-old Keith Chambers. Scott, who was 16 at the time, was previously charged as an adult with second-degree murder.

Co-defendant Brian Smith told police that he and Scott accompanied Chambers to buy marijuana from Dariel Reid. Chambers shot Reid in the arm while attempting to rob him. Scott then shot Chambers. Smith grabbed the marijuana in the melee.

Smith was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Reid is awaiting trial.