San Diego
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One of two men charged with murdering a hotel security guard pleaded guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter.
Michael Murphy, 31, of San Diego also pleaded guilty to committing two robberies. His plea came in the second day of his preliminary hearing in the Dec. 19 slaying of Glenn Avery, 67, of San Diego at a Holiday Inn in Kearny Mesa.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Al Barret said Murphy could be sentenced to a maximum of 16 years in prison.
San Diego Municipal Judge E. Mac Amos set sentencing for Nov. 21. Murphy remains in County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail.
The co-defendant, Frank Shipp III, 20, of San Diego, has a preliminary hearing set for Tuesday.
Barret said it was believed that another man with Murphy and Shipp actually shot Avery, and that murder charges will be filed against him “in the very near future.”
Police were called to the hotel to investigate a robbery and kidnaping. Avery’s body was found at the rear of the hotel.
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