Rapid City Murder Suspect Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A Rapid City man charged with killing another man a year ago in the home where they lived has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Twenty-one-year-old Anthony Smith initially faced a second-degree murder charge in the February 2015 death of 57-year-old Farrel Phelps. He reached a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on Thursday.

Authorities say Phelps died of hammer blows to the head and face.

Smith faces up to life in prison. He'll be sentenced later.

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