In a significant development in Carter County, Tennessee, Billy Fletcher, who was charged with fleeing his work detail and subsequently committing murder, has opted for a plea agreement that results in a 35-year prison term. The decision was reached during a court session held on Thursday, where Fletcher chose to forego a trial, resolving his legal issues across both Carter and Johnson counties.

Fletcher’s legal troubles escalated following the disappearance and death of Victor Birchfield, for which Fletcher had previously been charged with murder. In the course of the plea negotiations, the initial charge of first-degree murder was dropped. Instead, the charge of first-degree murder in perpetration was downgraded to second-degree murder.

• First-degree murder
• First-degree murder in the perpetration or attempt to perpetrate a felony
• Theft of property over $10,000 but less than $60,000
• Escape
• Tampering with evidence
• Abuse of a corpse