RALEIGH, N.C. — A man charged with first-degree murder almost passed on a plea deal.
After prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty, James Garrett Jr. agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder -- a 25-year sentence in prison. However, when a Wake County judge asked the defendant if he was guilty, Garrett was hesitant to answer.
Garrett is charged with killing a 22-year-old cook at a Sonic restaurant in 2002.
At one point, Garrett asked whether he could file an appeal. However, Garrett's guilty pleas and negotiated sentence cannot be appealed.
Deon Partridge was convicted of first-degree murder in the killing.
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