Lafayette Upshaw admits to murder of Anthony Santiago, avoids possible death sentence

Author: Katie Shank, Web Producer
Published: Jan 30 2013 05:02:01 PM EST   Updated On: Jan 29 2013 06:24:57 AM EST
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -

A man charged in a deadly shooting near a playground in Allentown has reached a plea deal to spare his life.

Lafayette Upshaw pleaded guilty Monday to 3rd degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Anthony Santiago.

Prosecutors were planning to seek the death penalty in a trial that was scheduled to start Monday, but in exchange for the guilty plea, Upshaw will spend 13 to 40 years in jail.

The shooting happened last January at 6th and Tilghman streets, near Stevens Park.

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