Last of 3 men charged in murder of mother changes mind on plea; trial underway

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The last of three men charged with the 2013 murder of a mother of four children accepted a plea deal Tuesday morning, but immediately changed his mind as the judge read the charges against him.

Troy Stevenson was 18 years old when 33-year-old Kelly Hunnewell was gunned down at a bakery where she worked in July of 2013. Stevenson, 18-year-old Lorenzo Young and 16-year-old Trenton Barnes were charged with Hunnewell's murder.

Tuesday morning, Stevenson accepted the plea agreement that reduced the murder charge to voluntary manslaughter with a sentence of 20 years in prison. Stevenson pleaded guilty to all other charges including an unrelated burglary charge from July 1, 2013.

After the judge read all the charges and asked Stevenson if he accepted the agreement, Stevenson said, "No." When the judge clarified his statement and asked him again, Stevenson again said, "No."

The jury was immediately sworn in. Among the 12 witnesses who testified Tuesday were a Columbia Police officer and investigator, a neighbor who called 911, and a paramedic who responded to the scene.

Stevenson is Barnes' half-brother. Investigators said Stevenson was a lookout while Young and Barnes shot Hunnewell when she didn't give them money.

Stevenson is charged with murder, kidnapping, and attempted armed robbery. Last month a judge denied bond.

However, the plea deal that was offered would have reduced the murder charge to voluntary manslaughter with a 20-year sentence. Sentences for Stevenson's other charges vary, but they would have run simultaneously. Stevenson had until Tuesday morning to decide whether he will accept the plea deal.

"The hand of one is the hand of all," the prosecuting attorney said. "And what it simply means is that if more than one person is acting together to commit a crime, with some sort of concerted effort to reach some sort of role in that crime, no matter what your role is, no matter how small or how big your role is, everyone is guilty."

Stevenson's attorney argued he was simply at the bakery to get his half-brother and bring him home.

"The evidence will show that Troy Stevenson, 18 years old, man of the house, was following the instructions of his mother, Latoya Barnes, to go down to Tommy Circle, which is within walking distance of his house, and get his brother."

Young and Barnes were sentenced late last year. Both men were found guilty of murder, attempted armed robbery, second degree burglary, and kidnapping.

Young is serving a sentence of life in prison. Barnes was sentenced to 50 years.

Police say the three intended to rob a nearby business on Tommy Circle and instead moved on to the bakery when they discovered the business was closed.

Hunnewell's family said she was working an early shift at the bakery to provide for her children.

The jury containing seven women and eight men for Stevenson's trial was selected on Monday. 10 jurors are black, five are white. 15 jurors were seated, including three alternates.