Now 26, He'll Emerge At 46
Underwood Facing
20 Years In Slaying
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – Joshua Underwood, 26, will reenter society at age 46 after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter yesterday in a death in the wee hours of New Year’s Day in Oneonta.
The plea in the death of Mark Morrison, 52, was entered before county Judge Brian Burns as the deadline – yesterday – for two plea options was running out, District Attorney John Muehl said today.
Muehl said he offered Underwood and his lawyer, Public Defender Bruce Maxson, two options: second-degree murder, 15 years to life, or first-degree manslaughter at a firm 20 years. Underwood chose the “determinant” sentence, the D.A. said.
