Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty To Murdering Teen Neighbor

A man who murdered an innocent 19-year-old girl inside her Tulsa apartment, then tried to murder her boyfriend, is headed to prison.

Related Story: Tulsa Teen Dies After Being Attacked In Her Apartment 

Gregory Epperson pleaded guilty today to murdering his neighbor, Kelsey Tennant in her own apartment when she came home from work for a quick lunch break.

He also confessed to attacking Kelsey's boyfriend by strangling him. Riley Allen had testified at a previous hearing that Epperson grabbed him from behind and put him in a chokehold.

Allen said he wrestled free, then got Epperson's roommate to come and get him. That's when he found Kelsey upstairs, dead in their bedroom.

“It is important not to forget that Kelsey’s boyfriend, Riley, was also a victim in this case,“ said DA Steve Kunzweiler. “It was his fierce and violent battle with the Defendant which ultimately led to his capture. Although he arrived too late to save Kelsey, we owe a debt of gratitude to him for his heroic actions in bringing this killer to justice.”

Kunzweiler said Epperson decided to plead guilty as a way to avoid the death penalty.

The judge sentenced Epperson to life without parole for murdering Kelsey and life for assaulting Riley.

"My heart goes out to them, especially during this Christmas season. They have bravely stood by this prosecution and have demonstrated an unwavering love for their daughter, who deserved to live a full and complete life,” said Kunzweiler.

Kelsey Tennant was killed March 20, 2017.