STURGIS, S.D. – An apparent plea deal has been reached in the case against a 17-year-old who is currently charged with murder.
Michael Gavin Campbell, whose named was released last year because he was being charged as an adult, is accused of shooting to death 16-year-old Shayna Ritthaler of Upton, Wyoming.
Ritthaler’s body was found in Campbell’s home near Sturgis last October.
In court Monday morning, Fourth Circuit Judge Kevin Krull announced that a plea agreement had been reached and set a change of plea hearing for Thursday.
Campbell was originally was charged as an adult with alternative counts of first- and second-degree murder in the killing of Ritthaler.
Prosecutors say Campbell is expected to plead guilty to manslaughter on Thursday. He originally pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. The prosecutor and the teen’s attorney have agreed to ask the judge for a 55-year sentence, but the judge does not have to agree to their recommendation.
Campbell is accused of shooting Ritthaler in the basement of his home.
Prosecutors had said earlier the two apparently got into an argument that led to the shooting.
