Plea made in fatal shooting

YOUNGSTOWN — A 26-year-old city man has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in a fatal October 2005 shooting at the Westlake Terrace housing project.

Marketis Stevens, of Hayman Street, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a firearm specification and being a felon in possession of a firearm in the death of Donald Hudson of Clarencedale Avenue.

Stevens, who faces six to 18 years in prison when he is sentenced at 8:45 a.m. March 23, entered the plea Monday before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court as his jury trial was about to begin.

Robert Andrews, assistant county prosecutor, who recommended 18 years, said the motive for the slaying is unclear.