A Derma man was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to second degree murder Monday in Pittsboro.
Coleman
JaShon Coleman, 22, of Derma, entered his plea in circuit court Monday morning at the courthouse in Pittsboro. He was charged with the February 2016 murder of James Pratt, 31, of Weir, who worked at the Haworth plant in Bruce.
If convicted of the crime, he would have faced life in prison and perhaps the death penalty.
The crime occurred shortly after Pratt got off work at 11:30 p.m.
Bruce Policeman Mike Campbell discovered Pratt’s truck, with the lights on and “engine racing,” parked between Hwy. 32 and the gas pumps at the Bruce Bait Shop.
Pratt had been shot multiple times in the head and neck region. Coroner Jerry Fleming was called and pronounced Pratt dead at the scene.
Coleman also worked at Haworth at the time and video surveillance cameras filmed the two interacting in the parking lot. Security cameras from other
Westmoreland
local stores showed the two vehicles proceeding to the Bait Shop where the shooting occurred.
Breana Westmoreland, 17 at the time of her arrest, was with Coleman in the car at the time of the crime. She pleaded guilty Monday to accessory to murder and was sentenced to five years, reduced to time served, with five years probation.
She is also ordered to pay all court costs and restitution.