William Douglas Gentry Jr., 22, won’t get the death penalty for the 2007 murder of 26-year-old Jayne Warren McGowan.
According to the Daily Progress, Gentry pleaded guilty to six charges this morning in Charlottesville Circuit Court, including capital murder, entering a home with the intent to commit a serious felony and three counts for use of a firearm.
Judge Edward Hogshire accepted a plea deal for Gentry. Deputy city Commonwealth’s Attorney Claude Worrell will not ask for the death penalty in the case. In August, the prosecution asked for the death penalty based on the nature of the offense.
Also in court this morning, Charlottesville police Det. James Mooney said that Gentry and his cousin Michael Pritchett, 19—also charged in the November 2007 murder—used marijuana the night before and wanted to make some money. McGowan’s home was lit, and Gentry said the two men could see her computer.
Gentry will be sentenced on March 30. Pritchett is slated to go on trail in 2009.
McGowan’s co-workers found her dead in her house on St. Clair Avenue on November 9, 2007. She was shot repeatedly.
William Douglas Gentry Jr. will be sentenced in March.
