A 20-year-old Clayton man pleaded guilty today to murdering 18-year-old Justin Back during a robbery at his home outside Waynesville in January.
Timothy Mosley's plea followed with an agreement reached before the death penalty trial of his friend and co-defendant, Austin Myers.
Myers, 19, of Clayton, was sentenced to death Thursday, after a two-week trial in which Mosley's testimony was seen by prosecutors as crucial to proving the case to the jury. Myers now is the youngest person awaiting the death penalty in Ohio.
Mosley, who turned 20 while awaiting his day in court, testified that he stabbed Back 21 times after a choking tool failed to kill Back as they struggled on the floor of Back's kitchen. Mosley's testimony also supported evidence pointing to Myers as the leader leading up to the crime committed on Jan. 28, after almost two days of planning.
During the hearing, a trash can and glass of water were brought to Mosley who said he felt sick as prosecutors described the murder.
After the hearing resumed, Judge Donald Oda II called for a pre-sentence investigation and said the sentencing would be held in about six weeks.
