NEW CASTLE Man pleads guilty in fatal shooting

He faces up to 25 years in prison and a $35,000 fine.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- With each question, Carlos Thompson's sobs became slightly louder.
Eventually the court bailiff had to get the New Castle man a chair because he became too distraught and could no longer stand as he pleaded guilty Thursday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court to voluntary manslaughter and carrying a firearm without a license.
Thompson, 24, faces up to 25 years in prison and up to a $35,000 fine when sentenced April 16 by Judge Dominick Motto.
He had been on trial in the Feb. 13, 2000, shooting death of William Matthews.
Ongoing dispute: During March 14 opening statements, prosecutors and defense attorney Stephen Delpero told jurors that the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute the two men had over $40 Thompson owed Matthews.
About a dozen witnesses had been called by prosecutors when Thompson consented to the plea agreement, said District Attorney Matthew Mangino.
"We thought it was an appropriate way to resolve this case as the facts unfolded. The portion of voluntary manslaughter charged is one that provides that someone used excessive force in self-defense, and that is what appears to have happened," he said.
Attorneys say the two men were riding together in a car just before midnight when Matthews threatened to beat up Thompson over the money dispute.
Prepared to fight: When they stopped at a Pine Street home, Matthews went inside to remove his coat and jewelry, preparing for the fight, attorneys said.
Thompson tried to lock himself in the car when Matthews returned, but he couldn't keep it locked.
When the door opened, Thompson got out and fired two shots into Matthews -- one to the chest and another in the shoulder.
Before running off, Thompson was shot by a third man. Fletcher Hudson Jr. still faces charges in that shooting.
Delpero said his client agreed to the voluntary manslaughter and carrying a firearm without a license charges rather than face the penalty of life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.
Relatives sob: On Thursday, the courtroom was filled with Thomson's and Matthews' friends and relatives, who also could be heard sobbing during the plea.
"It's just a tragic situation. These guys knew each other. It's pretty upsetting. Mr. Thompson feels bad for what happened and not just because he's on the hook here. They were friends," Delpero said.