Kalamazoo deputy shooter pleads guilty

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - The man who shot a Kalamazoo County Sheriff's deputy in the arm pleaded guilty Tuesday to three charges in connection with the crime.

William Wright pleaded guilty to assault with intent to murder, felony firearm and fleeing and eluding. He will be sentenced as a third-time habitual offender.

Wright shot Deputy Jeff Nichols in the arm on Jan. 6 during a routine traffic stop and then fled with his brother and at least one other individual. After an intensive police search, Wright, his brother Christopher and his girlfriend Jessica Carpenter were arrested.

Wright's plea was part of a deal with prosecutors that calls for two years in prison for the firearm charge, followed by a minimum of 30 years behind bars for the other two charges, meaning that Wright would spend at least 32 years in prison.

Other charges were dismissed as part of the deal.

Christopher Wright pleaded guilty to resisting and obstructing police in January and testified against his brother at a preliminary hearing. Christopher is scheduled to be sentenced next week.

Carpenter was in court for a pretrial hearing on Tuesday morning. Her case continues to move toward trial.

Another suspect, Dominique Castle, is still at large.