Men in Court After May Death

By: Kelly Sommariva
ksommariva@klkntv.com

A 17-year-old and 18-year-old were in court today after they struck a deal with the County Attorney, and both pled guilty to lesser charges from the beating on May 5th.

William Morgan died the day after being punched, kicked and robbed in Trago Park on May 5th. Days after the beating, police arrested three teens. David Centamore was charged with first degree murder, and Jonathan Gollin and Johnnie Showalter were both charged with robbery. However, in his latest court appearance, Johnathan Gollin changed his robbery plea to guilty.

“I think Gollin was lucky to plead to a robbery, I think the County Attorney made a reasonable plea agreement given the circumstances,” said Gollin's Attorney, James Hoppe. Also in court, David Centamore pled guilty to manslaughter. He faces up to 70 years in prison.

William Morgan's daughter spoke with us shortly after the teens had been charged in connection with her father's death in May. Until the Autopsy came back saying blunt force trauma killed the 49-year-old, her whole family hand thought he died of natural causes.

“To deal with grieving and closure after the service, and then to hear two days later it was like it re-happened again at a whole new level,” said Dunn's daughter, Lyz.

Gollin's lawyer says it's a tragic situation for the teens charged, but also for William Morgan's family. “I guess a guy that age, you just have to be very sad for his circumstances. Of course sad for the loss of the person who died. It's just a terrible thing at his age to be in the situation that he's in facing these charges.”

Sentencing for the two teens will be in October. The third suspect in this case, Johnny Shoewalter is set to enter a plea next week, he's accused of aiding and abetting robbery.