Man gets 12-30 years in prison in killing

The victim's family said they approved of the plea agreement.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Telly Armstrong has been sentenced to 12 to 30 years in prison in the February 2003 murder of Russell McKee.
Armstrong, 29, of New Castle, pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree murder in the death McKee, 39, of Chartes Street.
McKee was a passenger in a car that pulled up to Armstrong and another man, Ben Frank Jones III, on Hamilton Street. McKee asked to buy drugs from the two.
Witnesses told police that Armstrong and Jones demanded McKee produce money before they would give him the drugs and he refused. Court papers said an argument ensued and Armstrong and Jones hit McKee several times in the face while demanding money.
They took money from the victim as Armstrong fired two shots from a handgun, court papers said.
Jones was acquitted on homicide, robbery and conspiracy charges after a trial in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court in May. A jury did find the New Castle man guilty of a firearms charge.
Trial was to begin
Attorneys were prepared to pick a jury in Armstrong's case Tuesday when he decided to enter his plea, said Tom Minett, Lawrence County Assistant District Attorney. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped robbery, conspiracy and firearm charges against Armstrong.
Members of McKee's family were present during the plea and told the judge they agreed with it.
Lawrence County Common Pleas Court Judge Dominick Motto immediately sentenced Armstrong after he entered his plea. Armstrong was given credit for 1,229 days already served in the Lawrence County Jail. He was sent to the State Correctional Institution at Albion for evaluation.
cioffi@vindy.com