JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) — A Craighead County man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing his 83-year-old landlady has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The Jonesboro Sun reports 40-year-old Ronnie Laster entered the plea Monday for the killing of Helen Johnson at her home just outside Jonesboro's city limits.
Laster was originally charged with first-degree murder but reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Laster admitted in court that he strangled Johnson. Prosecutors say Laster tried to borrow money from Johnson the day she was killed, Dec. 29.
Officials say Laster has two prior robbery convictions so he won't be eligible for parole under the state's habitual offender law.
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