MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A man indicted in a Morgantown murder will avoid going to trial after pleading guilty to lesser charges.
Darrell Burford, 45, was indicted for second-degree murder in the death of Brian McGraw, 35, in December.
Burford pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter before Monongalia County Circuit Court Judge Russell Clawges.
He could be sentenced to three to 15 years in prison.
Police said Burford and McGraw were involved in an argument then a fight on Dec. 15, 2016. Burford allegedly hit McGraw and continued to punch him after McGraw fell to the ground. McGraw was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital where he later died.
Burford would have been facing 10 to 40 years in prison if convicted of second-degree murder.