Guilty Plea In Shooting Death Of Philadelphia Teen, 14

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to 23 to 52 years in prison after pleading guilty in the shooting death of a 14-year-old two years ago.

Nineteen-year-old Charles Wilson pleaded guilty to 3rd-degree murder and weapons offenses Tuesday as jury selection was about to begin for a first-degree murder trial in the September 2009 killing of Kareem Haynes.

Authorities said the two youths had a history of quarrels that culminated in the death of Haynes, who was about to start his freshman year at Roxborough High School.

Assistant District Attorney Carlos Vega told the Philadelphia Daily News that the plea deal was offered in part to spare two teenage girls who witnessed the murder from having to relive it on the witness stand.

Defense attorneys declined comment.

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