Robert Torian III will not go to trial a third time on a murder charge.
The Hopkinsville man entered a guilty plea this week in Christian County Circuit Court on the same day his third trial was scheduled to begin.
Torian entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of second-degree manslaughter, with the Commonwealth recommending seven years in prison.
Torian is charged with the 2019 shooting and murder of 25-year-old Terrill Moore following a verbal argument while both were passengers in a vehicle on McHenry Street.
A mistrial was declared in 2023 after a hung jury was declared when jurors could not reach a consensus on the verdict.
A second trial ended in April when Special Prosecutor Dennis Foust was questioning a witness who disclosed information that had previously been ruled inadmissible at trial.
In addition to the mistrials, several situations have caused delays in bringing justice, including a global pandemic, a change at Commonwealth’s attorney, and Foust’s appointment to the case.
Final sentencing is scheduled for July 10.
