One of two men pleads guilty in Hixson murder

photo Ronald Lee Pittman, Billy Bob Partin and Patrick Carmody

One of two men headed to trial for a 2010 Hixson murder has pleaded guilty today and been sentenced to 20 years.

Billy Bob Partin, 41, was set for a trial in September with co-defendant Patrick Carmody in the Sept. 9, 2010 death of Chance LeCroy, 21. Partin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman's courtroom today.

As part of the plea agreement Partin will serve 20 years at 100 percent.

Carmody, 45, is still scheduled for trial on September 30.

Partin, Carmody and Ronald Lee Pittman were arrested in 2012 and charged in the Sept. 9, 2010 killing. Pittman, who was charged with facilitating the murder, testified that he held a gun Tucker King, LeCroy's roommate, at the victims' 1211 Johnson Terrace home.

The plan, Pittman, 44, said, was to rob LeCroy and King of money and drugs. But, he testified, Carmody shot LeCroy, struggled with him and shot him again, killing him.

For more see Tuesday's Times Free Press.

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