Joseph Ryan Magana pleaded guilty Friday to the murder of Arthur Delbert Burchett in February 2015. Magana is alleged to have murdered the man so he could steal drugs as well as guns he could trade for more drugs. Magana was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Above, Magana, right, speaks with defense attorney Shawn Pwelch before he is taken from the courtroom and transported to the Orient Correctional Facility.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)
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Joseph Magana will avoid death sentence
A local man who admitted killing 67-year-old northern Union County resident for drugs and guns will avoid the death sentence.