Last week, Jeremy Bryant of Northport was to go on trial for the murder of Narleen Campton that occurred on Thanksgiving Day of 2011. He had been charged with Murder in the First Degree or in the alternative, Murder in the Second Degree. Just before the trial was to begin, the defendant indicated he was willing to plead guilty to Murder in the Second Degree. This was the first indication that Mr. Bryant was interested in entering a plea of guilty to any serious charge.

Deputy Prosecutor Lech Radzimski and I talked with Sheriff Kendle Allen, Undersheriff Lavonne Webb and the detectives involved, and we reached the conclusion that this plea represented a reasonable resolution to the case. We had very little evidence of premeditation to present to the jury, and several of the witnesses we had expected to testify were unavailable or were on warrant status in other cases. The plea would leave Mr. Bryant exposed to a sentence of 11.5 years to 19.5 years. As the jury waited, Mr. Bryant entered a plea of guilty to the charge and the jury was then dismissed.

The sentencing occurred about one hour after the plea was entered. Judge Nielson heard from the state regarding the facts of the case and the investigation, and from some of the family members of Narleen Campton and then from the defendant. Mr. Bryant admitted that he stabbed Ms Campton, but denied planning it or knowledge of any other participants in the murder. After listening to all the statements. Judge Nielson sentenced Mr. Bryant to the maximum sentence of 234 months in prison. Mr. Bryant was transferred to the Department of Corrections on Wednesday morning.

I usually do not like to resolve a case just moments before a jury is picked, but sometimes the circumstances make it the best course of action. Jury trials are never a sure thing. Things happen during a trial that are unanticipated. Witnesses fail to show up or testify differently than expected. The evidence does not come out the way we expect it to or things change such that what we think can be proved cannot be proved. A plea of guilty resolves all those issues and puts and end to the case in that there is no appeal and the matter is truly over.

Although Mr. Bryant has pleaded guilty to the murder, there are some aspects of the death of Ms. Campton which are unresolved. This is still an open case, and anyone with information on this matter is requested to please contact the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office.