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Nevada teen pleads guilty in classmate’s killing

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
January 28, 2012 - 2:01 am
 

ELKO -- One of two West Wendover teenagers accused of killing and burying a classmate in the desert has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in a plea deal that spares her the death penalty.

An Elko County District Court officer said Toni Fratto, 19, pleaded guilty Friday before Judge Dan Papez to second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.

Fratto faces 21 years to life in prison at sentencing April 16.

A first-degree murder charge was dropped, and Fratto agreed to testify against former boyfriend Kody Patten. Patten, 19, faces a first-degree murder charge in the shovel and knife slaying in March of Micaela "Mickey" Costanzo, 16.

The three were West Wendover High School students at the time of the slaying.

Patten's lawyer is asking prosecutors to take the death penalty off the table if he is convicted.

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