By ANNA BROWN

Yolanda Thompson pleaded guilty Friday to her part in the murder of Marisha Jeter.

Ms. Thompson’s plea was offered in exchange for the state’s decision not to seek the death penalty for her in the death of the 16-year-old Union County High School cheerleader and honor student. Ms. Thompson also has agreed to testify against her husband, Pernell Thompson. The state has served notice on Thompson that the death penalty will be sought for him if he is convicted.

Standing with her lawyer, 16th Circuit Public Defender Harry Dest, Ms. Thompson pleaded guilty to armed robbery, kidnapping, possession of a knife during the commission of a violent crime and criminal conspiracy. Circuit Judge Lee Alford sentenced Ms. Thompson to five years on the criminal conspiracy charge and deferred sentencing on the other charges until the conclusion of Pernell Thompson’s trial. Ms. Thompson could face life in prison. She was given credit for the 14 months she already has served in jail.

16th Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett said the state had been prepared to move forward to serve notice to seek the death penalty against Ms. Thompson had she not entered the plea.

Dest said that he would be prepared to present mitigating facts in Ms. Thompson’s behalf for the record during her sentencing.

“I want to state for the record that she has been cooperative and she intends to be cooperative throughout this process,” Dest said.

Brackett said Ms. Thompson had given a statement detailing her involvement in the murder which had been tape-recorded by investigators. Dest said Ms. Thompson reviewed the tape Thursday afternoon and confirmed it as being accurate.

Wearing a tan Union County Jail jumpsuit and sandals, Ms. Thompson spoke clearly into the microphone when Alford asked her questions. She said that she is now 20 years old, has a 2-year-old daughter, completed a year of college and was a Wal-Mart associate. At one point during the questioning, she said, “I want to move forward and plead guilty.”

Brackett gave details in the case, but told Alford there are many more details he did not want to reveal before Pernell Thompson’s trial.

Brackett said Miss Jeter and Thompson, a Wingate University football player, had had a relationship and though Thompson had gotten married, he continued to pursue the Union County High School junior class president. This caused problems in his relationship with his wife.

On Jan. 3, 2008, Miss Jeter told her father she was going to McDonald’s. In fact, she had agreed to meet Thompson behind the Union County YMCA to return an article of clothing that belonged to him.

Brackett said Miss Jeter was “set upon” by the Thompsons. She was beaten down and stabbed multiple times. They placed her body in the trunk of her car and transported it to the Broad River near Lockhart. There, they partially stripped her to make it appear she had been sexually assaulted. They then took her car into Chester County, doused it with gasoline and set it on fire.

“This was a prearranged plan organized by Mr. and Mrs. Thompson,” Brackett said.

Miss Jeter’s body was recovered on Jan. 5 and the Thompsons were arrested.

Before sentencing Ms. Thompson Alford asked her if she wished to say anything.

“No, sir, your honor,” she replied.