MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A woman charged in connection to the May 2016 shooting death of her boyfriend could be sentenced to 40 years in prison as part of a proposed plea agreement.
Jennifer Pendias, 33, who faces possible life in prison on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Harald Martinson III, would be allowed to enter an Alford plea to second-degree murder as part of the deal.
An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt, but does acknowledge that the prosecution has enough evidence for a conviction.
Pendias allegedly shot Martinson in the bathroom of her apartment on Shepherdstown Road near Martinsburg during an argument.
The Herald Mail reports a judge ordered a pre-plea investigation during a status hearing Tuesday.
A sentencing hearing was set for February 8.