A defendant in a campus-area triple murder case pleaded guilty Friday to multiple felonies. But, he'll receive a reduced prison term as a result of the plea agreement.
Todd Bensonhaver of Columbus pleaded guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter, one count of aggravated burglary, one count of aggravated robbery and three counts of kidnapping.
The charges stem from the July 23, 2003 murders of Ohio State University student Kayla Hurst, her boyfriend Aaron Grexa of Pennsylvania and Grexa's roommate Erick Hlass of Arkansas.
Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says Bensonhaver and two other men entered the apartment on East 11th Avenue with the intent to rob them of marijuana.
Bensonhaver's sentence will be handed down on June 10th, after the early May trial of the alleged triggerman Vernon Spence.
O'Brien says the third suspect in the case is already behind bars and is expected to enter a plea agreement similar to Bensonhaver.
Bensonhaver's attorney, Jon Tyack his client entered his plea to reduced charges of involuntary manslaughter.
During court proceedings, prosecutor James Lowe said all three victims were bound with stereo speaker wire and lined up in a bedroom while the three men searched the apartment for marijuana and valuables.
Lowe told the court several pounds of marijuana were found. Bensonhaver allegedly fled the apartment before the killings occurred.
Lowe says Hurst and Grexa were shot twice in the back of the head. Erick Hlass was shot once. The alleged triggerman, Vernon Spence, is scheduled to be tried on May 3rd.