TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) — An inmate who escaped the Miller County jail in May has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for the shooting death of a 21-year-old man.
At a hearing Tuesday, Cortez Hooper admitted shooting Terry Koontz on April 7, 2011. Hooper's attorney, Darren Anderson, says his client opted for the plea deal because he wanted to avoid the possibility that multiple prison sentences would be stacked against Him.
Hooper also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Charges are still pending against Hooper for the May 28 escape from the jail. The Texarkana Gazette reports (http://is.gd/YBDgSq ) that prosecutors typically request that any term handed down for escape be served consecutive to other prison sentences.
Hooper apologized Tuesday for the shooting and asked Koontz' family for forgiveness.
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