Man pleads no contest to killing father-in-law

<br>(Bartlesville-AP) -- A Washington County man has pleaded no contest to a charge of killing his father-in-law. <br><br>Bobby Joe Ross of Dewey entered the plea yesterday to the reduced charge of second-degree

Thursday, November 2nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Bartlesville-AP) -- A Washington County man has pleaded no contest to a charge of killing his father-in-law.

Bobby Joe Ross of Dewey entered the plea yesterday to the reduced charge of second-degree murder. Ross was originally charged with first-degree murder in the January shooting death of Franklin Burton in a fight that began over a pack of cigarettes.

Ross faces up to life in prison.

Ross has said he and Burton's daughter had separated days before the shooting and that she took a pack of cigarettes.

He says when he asked her to return, she and Burton went to the home.

Authorities say Ross then got a gun, grabbed his wife in a headlock and ordered Burton to leave. Police say Ross shot Burton in the back as he turned toward the door.