This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Posted: 3:06 PM- A man who kicked another man to death at the victim's Salt Lake City apartment last year over a drug debt pleaded guilty on Monday to second-degree felony manslaughter.
Jabar Priest D. Bennett, 32, was initially charged with first-degree felony murder for the May 25 assault on 19-year-old Pilar Escoto-Ramirez, who died three days later from head trauma.
As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dismissed a charge of obstructing justice pertaining to Bennett's disposal of a pair of blood-covered shoes in a trash bin.
Bennett faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced April 30 by 3rd District Judge Randall Skanchy.
At the time of the slaying, Bennett was being supervised by Utah probation authorities for a Nevada misdemeanor conviction of battery on a police officer.