NEWS

Springfield man pleads guilty in 2014 murder

Harrison Keegan
HKEEGAN@NEWS-LEADER.COM

One of four people charged in a deadly 2014 home burglary in Springfield pleaded guilty Wednesday to three felonies, including murder.

Jeremiah Devaliti

Jeremiah Devaliti, 20, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and armed criminal action in connection with the February 2014 shooting death of Curtis Payne, 31.

Devaliti's attorney, Branden Twibell, said there is no deal with prosecutors outlining how much prison time Devaliti will serve, and Devaliti has not agreed to testify against any of his co-defendants.

Police say Devaliti and two others — Kaleb Moore and Tyler Keithley — forced entry into a home at 2357 S. Dollison Ave. in Springfield on Feb. 11, 2014, with the intent to "beat up" Payne after one of their associates — Kearstain Sleeth — told the three that Payne had previously assaulted her.

Police say, according to interviews with the suspects, the three males confronted Payne in his bedroom and Keithley struck Payne with a .22-caliber gun resembling an assault rifle.

Documents say Moore, 16 years old at the time, fired first.

Moore allegedly shot Payne multiple times with a .380 handgun, and Devaliti allegedly shot Payne once with a shotgun.

Sleeth allegedly drove the three males to the home.

After the shooting, police say, the suspects dismantled the guns and buried them in a wooded area.

Moore, Keithley and Sleeth have each been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and armed criminal action. They are still awaiting trial.

Twibell, Devaliti's attorney, declined to comment further on the case or the plea, citing rules of professional conduct.

Devaliti faces a potential life sentence on the murder conviction. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 14.