A man involved with the March 2004 killing of Ball State student Karl Harford pleaded guilty to murder and to armed robbery Monday.
Muncie resident Damien Sanders was one of three people, including Brandon Patterson and a juvenile, who Harford offered to drive home from an off-campus house party on March 7, 2004. The three men stole $2 from Harford before shooting him, according to police documents.
Delaware County prosecutors dropped charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, two counts of theft and a second count of felony murder in exchange for the guilty plea, Chief Deputy Prosecutor J.A. Cummins said. Prosecutors will also not push for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to The Associated Press.
Sanders said Monday he shot Harford after the robbery and a struggle but he and the other two men involved had only intended to rob him, according to AP. Sanders could now face 45 to 85 years in prison, Cummins said.
For the murder charge, he could serve between 45 and 65 years in prison. For the armed robbery charge, he could serve between six and 20 years.
Cummins contacted the Harford family for their input on the guilty plea Sunday night, Tom Harford, Karl Harford's father, said.
Tom Harford has mixed feelings about the plea.
"I'm about 80-20," Tom Harford said. "I'm about 80 percent happy, 20 percent wants to go to trial and try to get the life without parole."
Although Sanders cannot be sentenced to life in prison, Tom Harford is happy that he cannot hurt anyone else, he said.
"It's nice to see that he finally said he was guilty for something we knew he did all along," Tom Harford said. "We're glad he's off the street. I think it'll be safer for the students now."
Judge Marianne Vorhees will sentence Sanders at his next hearing on March 4, Cummins said. Vorhees will decide whether Sanders will serve his sentences concurrently or consecutively. If he serves his sentences concurrently, meaning the time for both charges is counted at the same time, Sanders could spend up to 65 years in prison. If he serves consecutively, meaning the time for one charge is counted after the time for the other is finished, he could spend up to 85 years in prison.
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