Teenagers plead guilty in murder plot

5/23/2006

A teenage couple entered into a plea agreement today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court for plotting to kill the girl s mother and brother so they could live in the family s East Toledo home.

Devan L. Fields and Catherine A. Varner, both 17, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.

The plea agreement was accepted by Judge Ruth Ann Franks, who scheduled their sentencing for June 7. The defendants each face prison sentences of three to 20 years.

Fields had been secretly living in the closet of his girlfriend s home at 819 Yondota St. when he beat, stabbed, and choked her 15-year-old brother, Anthony Perrin on March 9.

Fields told Judge Franks that he and Varner carried out the brutal assault on Anthony and also planned to kill Varner s mother, Aleatha Perrin.

The couple planned the crimes so that Varner could inherit the family home and insurance money.

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