BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — A plea agreement has been reached in a Mercer County murder investigation, according to Prosecuting Attorney George Sitler.
Michael Neel, 27, of Bluefield, will appear for his plea hearing Jan. 19. He allegedly shot his estranged wife, Kayla Neel, and Dakota Walls, 23, of Princeton on Dec. 16, 2014.
Neel was charged with first degree murder, attempt to commit first-degree murder, malicious assault and wanton endangerment. Sitler said Neel would plead guilty to murder charges.
Neel was tried last year, but in August, a mistrial was declared after the jury was unable to reach a verdict. The jury did find him guilty of wanton endangerment and malicious wounding.
Neel faces up to more than 22 years in prison.
He’s currently being held in the Southern Regional Jail.