COFFEEVILLE – Two defendants charged with first degree murder in the 2023 homicide of Chauncey Armstrong entered guilty pleas to reduced charges last Thursday, four days before they were scheduled for trial on Dec. 9.
Cousins Zavion Spearman and Anthony Spearman each pled guilty to manslaughter after their attorneys reached an agreement with the district attorney to reduce the first degree murder change. Both men were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The second charge was remanded to the file for each defendant.
Armstrong was gunned down in broad daylight on Kennedy Street in Coffeeville on March 30, 2023. Zavion Spearman, Anthony Spearman and Lakedrick Spearman were arrested shortly afterwards and each charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Lakedrick Spearman, the brother of Anthony Spearman, previously entered a guilty plea to a lessor charge, Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder, on August 29. He was scheduled to testify as a witness in the Dec. 9 trial.
Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney had sent out 225 jury summons prior to the trial. The jurors were excused after the plea was reached and the trial canceled.
Zavion Spearman and Anthony Spearman are scheduled for sentencing by Circuit Judge Jimmy McClure on Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. at the Panola County courthouse in Batesville. Lakedrick Spearman is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 17.
