Man enters guilty pleas in 2012 homicide

YOUNGSTOWN — One of two men charged with a 2012 homicide pleaded guilty this morning to charges of murder, aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Judge John M. Durkin accepted the pleas from Kyle Patrick, 19, of Midland Avenue who was originally charged with aggravated murder, which carries a potential life sentence. In exchange for his guilty pleas, prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 16 years to life for Patrick.

He is accused of killing Michael Abighanem, 27, of Thalia Street, who was shot after he and a friend went to a house on Silliman Street around 4:30 p.m. April 27, 2012, so Abighanem could sell a video-game system and a laptop computer.

A co-defendant, Reginald Whitfield, 23, is expected to plead guilty Tuesday to charges of manslaughter and aggravated robbery also before Judge Durkin.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com