Teen pleads guilty in `Candyman' slaying

Tuesday, February 29th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WAGONER, Okla. (AP) -- A teen-ager interrupted his own murder trial by agreeing to plead guilty to killing a 60-year-old man. Byron Burton pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree murder and a count of conspiracy to commit robbery in the July 23 slaying of Leonard Hill.

Hill was known by local residents as the "Candyman" because he sold candy and soda from his home. Burton's plea came as attorneys were questioning potential jurors.

Prosecutors said Burton, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a sentence recommendation of life with the possibility of parole and a 10-year suspended sentence for the robbery charge.

Earlier in the day, Burton lost an attempt to have his confession thrown out. Burton's attorney, Donovan Dobbs, had argued that Burton lacked the mental capacity to waive his Miranda rights and speak with agents from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Prosecutors alleged Burton, Deon Smith, 18, and Joseph Wright,18, went to Hill's home to buy cigars. They alleged that Burton returned a few minutes later and shot Hill several times with a .357-caliber handgun. Smith and Wright remain charged in connection with the slaying.