A teenager from Effingham has pleaded guilty in connection with a 16-year-old girl's shooting death.
The 16-year-old boy entered the plea Wednesday in juvenile court to charges of involuntary manslaughter and possession of a stolen firearm. The charges are related to the Oct. 18 death of Kaylee N. Jacob. The two were sitting in a car in Effingham when she was killed.
State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said in court the teen was "messing around" with the stolen .40 caliber Glock handgun at the time, according to the Effingham Daily News.
"He dropped the magazine and pointed the gun at her in a joking fashion," Kibler said.
A bullet had been left in the chamber. When he pulled the trigger Jacob was killed.
A burglary charge was dropped in exchange for the boy's guilty plea, the Effingham Daily News reports. Kibler said the plea was accepted only after he met with the boy's parents to explain the options.
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The boy is to be sentenced April 14. Judge Kimberly Koester could sentence him to time in an Illinois Department of Corrections juvenile facility until the boy turns 21.
