A Kanawha County man admitted Wednesday in Kanawha Circuit Court to pulling the trigger in the shooting death of a relative's boyfriend last fall.
Keith Jones, 61, of Rand, pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Joe Williams, meaning he faces a prison sentence of 10 to 40 years. Jones must serve a minimum of 10 years before he can be considered for parole.
Jones was originally indicted for first-degree murder with use of a firearm.
The second-degree murder plea was reached because there wasn't evidence to show premeditation before Jones shot and killed Williams, prosecutors said.
The incident occurred Sept. 29 on Elaine Drive in Rand. Jones, his niece and her boyfriend, Williams, were drinking alcohol together.
"Everyone was laughing, joking, getting along, having a great time," said Ronni Sheets, Jones' attorney.
The niece took six steps out of the room and heard a gunshot, Sheets said.
Williams "made an unfavorable comment to the defendant, the defendant responded, 'Did you mean that?' " according to Marisa Grifka, Kanawha County assistant prosecutor.
Jones "could not remember what was said, but it prompted [him] to remove a .38 special revolver from his pocket and shoot Mr. Williams," the criminal complaint from the incident reads.
It was determined Williams died of a close range gunshot wound to the head, according to the complaint.
Sentencing is set for 10 a.m. on July 13, 2017 in Judge Bloom's courtroom in the Kanawha County Judicial Building.