By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

COLUMBUS, Kan. — One of the defendants charged with murdering Jamey Richardson on Jan. 30 in Baxter Springs has entered into a plea deal in which he agrees to testify against co-defendants.

Edward Gordon, 20, of Baxter Springs, agreed to plead no contest to an amended charge of second-degree murder. The plea agreement was filed Tuesday in Cherokee County District Court.

In it, the attorneys agree to seek a 10-year sentence for Gordon, “based upon the substantial cooperation of the defendant.” The sentence for second-degree murder usually is a little more than 10 years to 54 years, and a fine of up to $300,000.

“The parties agree that the amendment to murder in the second degree and downward departure motion is premised on the defendant testifying truthfully concerning this matter at any hearing to which he is subpoenaed,” the agreement reads.

Gordon would enter his plea after the cases against his co-defendants are resolved.

Aaron Graham, 21, and Samuel Becker, 22, both of Pittsburg, along with Gordon, are charged with first-degree murder in Richardson’s shooting death; kidnapping of five people, including Richardson; aggravated battery of two people; aggravated assault of two people; and aggravated burglary of the houses of two people.

Richardson was a former standout basketball player at Pittsburg State University.

During a consolidated preliminary hearing for the defendants in May, witnesses testified that Gordon on Jan. 30 had lost a safe containing marijuana and money belonging to Graham. The witnesses testified that the defendants traveled house to house, looking for the person who stole the safe. Richardson was shot outside Gordon’s house in Baxter Springs.

During a hearing Tuesday, Becker’s attorney, Michael Gayoso Jr., told Cherokee County District Judge Kent Lynch that he may need more time to prepare for trial, considering the new witness.

The plea agreement with Gordon was worked out between his attorney, Sam Marsh, and assistant Kansas Attorney General Barry Disney.

Trial dates