Key Piazza Murders Witness to be Sentenced

Katoya Jones pleaded guilty to third degree murder for her part in the deaths of Rian Thal and a friend.

It’s sentencing day for a key witness in the 2009 Piazza murders.

On Thursday, Katoya Jones, 27, will appear before a judge to be sentenced for her part in the murders of Rian Thal, 34, and Timothy Gilmore, 40.

Although Jones did not commit the murders, she has admitted to letting the shooters into the Piazza at Schmidts complex before they fatally shot the two friends. Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder.

The woman testified against three other suspects who received life sentences. Four others charged have pleaded guilty.

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