News:

print | e-mail | Share:

BREAKING: Bird pleads guilty, receives two life sentences

More News Deer, van collide Houston Senior Center Urges Participation in Shot Clinic Flu Shots Available at Clinics Bell does it all in eighth grade's victory against Ava Woman Faces Two Charges on Barking Dog Charges County's Unemployment Rate Improves FNB: For community banks, it's business as usual  Public invited to Roots' alpaca fall festival Blood drive planned in Houston Summersville bank to establish facility in Houston Houston to compete in statewide contest Ideas will be shared at emergency management meeting Opponent: Emerson betrayed trust of voters Run to raise funds for community foundation Houston mayor's prayer breakfast set for Saturday Emerson will tour eighth district in October Woman admits shooting at helicopter searching for marijuana Hunting, fishing permit prices to increase in 2009 Wireless Internet now available at Montauk State Park Nash's rights violated, attorney says Natural gas rates to decline  Long Neal ordeal over Sho-Me Power to receive $90 million low-interest loan  Public forum will detail TCMH's expansion project  BREAKING: Bird pleads guilty, receives two life sentences  Jeff Gettys Audio Blog (updated 9/15)  24 Hours in Houston

A 19-year-old Summersville girl pled guilty today for her role in conspiring with her boyfriend to kill her parents.

Texas County Prosecutor Michael Anderson said Amelia Bird pled guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree assault at the Phelps County Courthouse. She received two life sentences -- to be served consecutively -- from Judge Colin Long.

Bird, who will be eligible for parole when she is 72, was to stand trial in February 2009. She was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree assault with a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Bird's plea came less than a month after her counterpart, Chad R. Brantley, 21, pled guilty to four counts in the January 2006 slaying of Christina Bird and shooting of William "Buddy" Bird. As part of his plea, Brantley had agreed to testify against Amelia Bird.

Anderson has recommended four consecutive life sentences for Brantley, who pled guilty to first-degree assault, second-degree murder and two armed criminal action counts. He will be sentenced in January.

Amelia Bird, who was 16 at the time but later certified as an adult, was reportedly in her parent's home the night of the shooting and made the 911 call for help. Authorities quickly discovered conflicting stories from Bird, who alleged that a man wearing a hooded coat and baseball cap shot her parents, and Brantley. They said the pair planned the shooting and that Brantley was standing at the sliding glass door of the home when Bird called 911. Both were arrested the following day.

Christina Bird died at the scene. Buddy Bird was taken to a Springfield hospital where he recovered.