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PROVO — A Spanish Fork man pleaded no contest to negligent homicide Wednesday in connection with a game of Russian roulette that led to the death of his friend.
Merrill Chet McKell, 41, was first charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, for the death of his friend, 27-year-old Cody Hales, but pleaded no contest to negligent homicide, a class A misdemeanor.
McKell's attorney, Michael Petro, said his client still feels "really bad" about what happened and didn't want to take the case to trial.
He didn't have any reason to believe (Hales) would pick up the gun and fire.
–- Michael Petro, attorney
"He's really upset about the whole situation and his family is as well," Petro said. "He's been very sympathetic about the kid's family and wasn't anxious to put them through that."
Police say the two men were at a house party near 500 North and 920 East in Spanish Fork on April 21, 2010, when they separated from the group, went into a bedroom and began listening to a CD which contained a song about suicide.
McKell then suggested a game of Russian roulette, retrieved a gun, loaded a bullet and spun the chamber. Hales put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger, firing the bullet. McKell called 911, but Hales died later at an area hospital.
Petro said the pair were good friends and spent a lot of time at each other's houses. He said the case was "tragic" for all parties involved.
"He didn't have any reason to believe (Hales) would pick up the gun and fire," Petro said. "I think he feels fine about the resolution. It's one of those things where ... he has to do something to feel right about what happened."
A no contest plea is considered by the court to be the same as a guilty plea. McKell will be sentenced March 2.
E-mail: emorgan@desnews.com
