KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Johnson County prosecutors Wednesday amended the first-degree murder one of six teenagers faces in the May 14 shooting death of Marco Cardino.
The 14-year-old boy, who had been charged with first-degree murder, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after the amended charges were filed.
The Johnson County District Attorney announced Thursday that one of the four 14-year-olds charged in the murder, had pleaded guilty. Two other teens charged in Cardino's murder are 13.
The six teens allegedly arranged to buy marijuana from Cardino, a 19-year-old from Smithville, at the park via social media. Court documents indicate several of the teens brought guns to the meeting and planned to steal the drugs all along.
The 14-year-old boy who pleaded guilty will be sentenced Aug. 24.
Two other 14-year-old boys charged with Cardino's murder, which took place around 4 a.m., also appeared Wednesday in Johnson County District Court.
One of those boys requested a continuance and will return to court Aug. 24 for a scheduling conference. A three-day waiver hearing also was scheduled to begin Nov. 1.
The third 14-year-old boy requested a continuance to discuss a plea with prosecutors. A plea hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 24.
All six suspected initially pleaded not guilty in the case.
The 14-year-old girl is due back in court Aug. 2 for a ruling hearing.
Earlier this week, Judge Brenda Cameron set a date for a two-week jury trial, beginning Dec. 12, 2022.
KSHB 41 does not name suspects charged as juveniles, but juveniles charged as adults may be named after pleading or being found guilty.
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