Two Men Plead Guilty In Death Of Cherokee County Rancher

Two men charged in the murder of a Cherokee County rancher pleaded guilty, according to the district attorney.

District Attorney Brian Kuester says Cheyenne Watts pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 45 years on Thursday, December 1, 2016.

His co-defendant, Paul Newberry, had already pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and been sentenced to life without parole.

According to Cherokee County Undersheriff Jason Chennault, Newberry and Watts went to burglarize Kirk's home in July of 2015. They shot and killed him when he woke up and confronted them, Chennault said.

7/31/2015 Related Story: 2 Confess To Murder Of Cherokee County Rancher As Community Mourns

Family said Kirk was in the late stages of cancer, but was still able to ride his horse. 

They said the 88-year-old lived on the property his entire life.