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AMERICAN FORK — A Spanish Fork man accused of killing a man in a stabbing outside of a Fourth of July party last year has pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
Keenan John Thompson, 30, pleaded guilty Tuesday to manslaughter, a second-degree felony, in the 2012 death of William "KC" Wright, 36. Thompson was originally charged with first-degree felony murder in Wright's death, but amended charges were filed prior to Tuesday's hearing.
Thompson also pleaded guilty to use of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony. A third charge of possession or use of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony, was removed in the new charges.
Police said Wright was killed in an altercation around 4 a.m. after he refused to allow a 15-year-old neighbor to attend a Fourth of July party at his home at 644 N. 700 East. According to witnesses who testified at previous court hearings, Wright repeatedly escorted the teenager home and told him he would be welcome to join when he was of legal drinking age.
Other partygoers testified that the teenager was largely a nonissue until he started "screaming" at those at the party and telling them that his cousin, and his brother, were going to come and "kill all of you." Wright went over and talked again to the boy, who stopped yelling.
Witnesses said a vehicle then sped to the scene, its driver exited with "something shiny" and then sped away again within 30 seconds, taking the teenager with him and leaving Wright on the ground.
Prosecutors contend that Thompson drove to the home that night and stabbed Wright in the neck and abdomen, killing him. They also say Thompson fled the scene, disposed of the knife he was using and some clothing, and tested positive for cocaine after he was arrested.
Sentencing in the case has been set for Oct. 1. Judge Thomas Low indicated he would follow recommendations to order any prison time to run concurrently, court records indicate.
