By admin (ABC 6 News) – On Monday, October 14, a Britt man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Monte Wayne Eckels, now 58, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Leallen Bergman of Ventura last year.
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Eckels’ plea agreement states that if the court agrees, he will be sentenced to a maximum of 50 years in prison and will be required to pay $150,000 to the victim’s estate.
The document states that the defendant will have to serve at least 70 percent of his sentence before he will be eligible for parole.
Eckels’ plea hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Oct. 29.
In 2023, a GoFundMe was created for Bergman’s family.