By Associated Press - Tuesday, May 29, 2018

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - A man has pleaded guilty to killing a western Colorado sheriff’s deputy in 2016.

Twenty-year-old Austin Holzer pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder in the death of Mesa County Sheriff’s Deputy Derek Geer.

The Daily Sentinel reports that the plea came a week into jury selection for his trial.

Holzer also pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and a sentence-enhancing crime of violence charge. He also agreed to a 70 year prison sentence under the deal with prosecutors.

Holzer was close to turning 18 when Geer was killed and was charged as an adult.

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Information from: The Daily Sentinel, http://www.gjsentinel.com

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