COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - One of two suspects in a shooting death in downtown Columbia no longer faces murder charges in the case, authorities said.
Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said Kesan McNeal, 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday to hindering the prosecution of a felony. In exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of the weapon.
McNeal was charged in the July 2020 death of Joseph Hecht, 38, of Sturgeon.
Swingle said McNeal admitted being the driver when someone who fired at Hecht from a vehicle.
That suspect, Marlin Johnson, 24, was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a firearm. His next hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Johnson was being held on a $1 million bond and McNeal’s bond was set at $500,000 as of Thursday, KMIZ reported.
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