A central Pennsylvania teenager has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the shotgun shooting death of his brother, which authorities said stemmed from a dispute over a girl.
PennLive.com reports that 16-year-old Dakota Thornton of Williamstown entered the plea Wednesday in Dauphin County in the March 2016 slaying of 18-year-old Dominick Thornton.
Authorities said the defendant told investigators that the shooting stemmed from his romantic interest in his brother's girlfriend.
Prosecutors said no plea deal had been reached on a sentence to be imposed in June and the defendant's juvenile criminal record will be a factor. Defense attorney Wendy Grella said her client's mental health issues and alleged abuse while in foster care will also be factors. She called the plea "an appropriate resolution for the entire family."
