A Hawesville man originally charged with murder in a December 2020 fatal shooting in Owensboro has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter under a plea agreement reached Friday.
Brandon L. Ress, 39, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the death of 49-year-old Michael S. Crowe, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Van Meter.
Records show that the Owensboro Police Department responded to the 1700 block of McCulloch Avenue at approximately 9:30 a.m. on December 23 for a reported shooting. Officers located Crowe, of Owensboro, with a gunshot wound to the neck. Crowe died at the scene.
The plea agreement includes a recommended sentence of 7 years, although the final sentencing by a judge is scheduled for April 29.
The agreement was reached as a result of mediation.
“The victim’s nearest relative, his brother, was present for the mediation and participated. The brother of the victim approved of the plea agreement and is relieved that the matter is resolved,” Van Meter said Saturday.
Van Meter said Ress made his guilty plea pursuant to North Carolina vs. Alford. An Alford plea is one in which a defendant maintains their innocence but admits that the prosecution’s evidence would likely result in a guilty verdict if brought to trial.
Ress remains lodged at the Daviess County Detention Center.
