ELKO, Nev. (AP) - One of two West Wendover High School students
accused of killing a classmate and burying her in the desert has signed a plea deal that would spare her a possible death sentence or life without parole if she's convicted.
An attorney representing 19-year-old Toni Fratto says the woman is appearing in an Elko court Friday to plead guilty to second-degree murder. She's also agreeing to testify against her 18-year-old former boyfriend, Kody Patten.
Her attorney, John Springgate, says she will face about 18 years in prison.
Patten's murder trial is scheduled to begin in March.
Both are accused of taking 16-year-old Micaela "Mickey" Costanzo to a remote area near the Utah-Nevada border on March 3, 2011. She was struck in the head with a shovel and her throat was slit.
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