CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Detroit man will go on trial later this month in connection with the April shooting death of Charleston teenager Tymel McKinney.
Kanawha County prosecutors Mark Gaddy, 23, turned down a plea bargain offer from county prosecutors Tuesday and then Kanawha County Judge Duke Bloom set Gaddy’s trial for Sept. 29.
Prosecutors offered a deal of second degree murder with a recommendation for 20 years in prison. He’ll now face life in prison if he’s convicted on a charge of first-degree murder.
Gaddy was allegedly with D.J. Carter, 18, of South Charleston, and a juvenile when McKinney, 18, was gunned down on the front porch of his West Side home. Police have said the killing was gang retaliation.
Carter is still awaiting trial. The juvenile involved was transferred to adult status and entered a plea last month.