Although a Manhattan man may face almost 20 years in jail, he now has only one case to deal with, instead of two.
Justin Taylor, 25, had a hearing Tuesday to discuss his two charges. Taylor was charged with one count of rape during June of 2010 and one count of 2nd degree intentional murder in August of 2011.
Assistant Riley County Attorney, Barry Disney, motioned to combine the two cases into one and change the 2nd degree intentional murder charge to voluntary manslaughter.
Judge Paul Miller approved the motion to combine the cases and change the second charge.
Taylor entered a plea of no contest and will face sentencing on May 18th at 9:00 a.m. Disney expects he will face about 20 years in jail.
The rape case occurred in the early morning hours of June 25, 2010 at the intersection of Denholm Street and Kimball Avenue in Manhattan. Taylor had been in custody in connection with the August death of military veteran Kevin Cockrum.
