KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Kalamazoo County man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Tuesday, January 10 for the death of a Vicksburg man.
According to court documents, Joshua Wessel allegedly killed 71-year-old Ronald French on June 4, 2017 following an argument in French’s home. The documents revealed that Wessel wrapped vacuum cords around French’s neck, and dragged him into a field in Fulton where his remains were found three weeks later.
Police say Wessel became a person of interest in the case after he was arrested while driving French’s stolen car.
He underwent multiple competency evaluations since his arrest, but was declared competent to stand trial in September of 2021.
Wessel agreed to waive his right to a preliminary examination to have his open murder charge downgraded to second degree murder. Under the plea agreement, Wessel could not be convicted of first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence.
Court officials say he’s expected to be sentenced on January 30th, but that sentence could be pushed up to January 23rd.
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