Less than 20 minutes after Lisa Bryant testified against her husband, Associate Judge E. Dan Kimmel called a recess to decide whether or not to declare a mistrial requested by the defense.
Moments later, John Bryant pleaded guilty to felony murder in the 2006 slaying of Christopher Gandy.
John Bryant agreed to a 28-year term in state prison with 1,887 days credit for time served. The 42-year-old Bryant also agreed to three years of supervised release after prison. He has 30 days to file a motion to withdraw his plea.
State's Attorney Mike Wepsiec said Wednesday was one of the weirdest days of his 30-year legal career.
"I've never had a guilty plea in the middle of a trial," he said.
Lisa Bryant's testimony was the reason for the plea. She said John Bryant told her he delivered a blow to Gandy's head that knocked out the 23-year-old college student and cocaine dealer and left a bowling-ball sized pool of blood on the floor.
http://www.thesouthern.com/news/loc...cle_fc51ea1c-5b54-11e0-8463-001cc4c03286.html
Moments later, John Bryant pleaded guilty to felony murder in the 2006 slaying of Christopher Gandy.
John Bryant agreed to a 28-year term in state prison with 1,887 days credit for time served. The 42-year-old Bryant also agreed to three years of supervised release after prison. He has 30 days to file a motion to withdraw his plea.
State's Attorney Mike Wepsiec said Wednesday was one of the weirdest days of his 30-year legal career.
"I've never had a guilty plea in the middle of a trial," he said.
Lisa Bryant's testimony was the reason for the plea. She said John Bryant told her he delivered a blow to Gandy's head that knocked out the 23-year-old college student and cocaine dealer and left a bowling-ball sized pool of blood on the floor.
http://www.thesouthern.com/news/loc...cle_fc51ea1c-5b54-11e0-8463-001cc4c03286.html