HIBBING, Minn. – A suspect in the killing of a man along a snowmobile trail in Hibbing has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.
Eighteen-year-old Deshon Bonnell changed his plea to guilty at a hearing in Hibbing on Wednesday in the death of 33-year-old Joshua LaValley, of Aurora.
LaValley’s body was found in January along the Mesabi Trail. Authorities say he was blindfolded and marched into the woods, where Bonnell shot him twice in the face for allegedly pursuing Bonnell’s girlfriend.
Bonnell’s sentencing is Oct. 25. He faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
Another suspect, Anthony Howson, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in February but has indicated he wants to withdraw his plea. Bonnell’s 17-year-old girlfriend has not entered a plea yet. She’s due in court Nov. 14.
