Guilty plea for manslaughter, arson

Published 11:40 pm Monday, July 30, 2007

One of three men charged with murder in a March 24 shotgun slaying pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree manslaughter.

He also pleaded guilty to second-degree arson for torching the getaway car.

Justin Joseph Evans, 26, of Kenmore faces a likely four-year sentence. Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Gerald Knight is scheduled to sentence him Sept. 20.

Evans also agreed to testify against his co-defendants if necessary, deputy prosecutor Cindy Larsen said.

The three are accused of confronting Robert Sandgren, 18, at a home in the 5400 block of Broadway. They allegedly went there to teach him a lesson for reportedly roughing up his girlfriend, Larsen said in charging papers.

Sandgren resisted when the three brought a shotgun with them. Sandgren grabbed at the gun barrel and the weapon discharged, Larsen said. He was shot in the head.

The other two are still charged with murder.

They are Goshua Nathaniel King, 25, and Aaron Markus Thompson, 23, both of Everett.