Springfield Man Pleads Guilty in 2014 Murder

One of four people charged in the February 2014 shooting death of a Springfield man has pleaded guilty.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that 20-year-old Jeremiah Devaliti entered the plea Wednesday. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 31-year-old Curtis Payne and two other felonies.

Devaliti's attorney, Branden Twibell, says Devaliti hasn't agreed to testify against his co-defendants.

Police say Devaliti and two others forced their way into a Springfield home with plans to "beat up" Payne after a woman said Payne had assaulted her. One of the co-defendants is accused of striking Payne with a .22-caliber gun resembling an assault rifle. A 16-year-old then is accused of shooting Payne repeatedly with a handgun before Devaliti fired a shotgun once.

Sentencing is set for June 14.