A 24-year-old Elizabeth man accused of killing seven people in New Jersey and Pennsylvania reached a plea deal to avoid the death penalty.
West who was charged with seven killings, including the three in Lehigh Valley where he faced the death penalty, pleaded guilty this morning to three counts of first-degree murder in a deal that will give him three consecutive life sentences without the chance of parole.
In New Jersey, West was charged with murder and multiple weapons offenses in connection with the June 25th shooting deaths of 28 year-old Dennis Vega of Elizabeth; 29 year-old Jamil Payne of Elizabeth; 32 year-old Kelvin Nelson of Elizabeth; and the May 18th shooting death of 29 year-old Michael Thompkins. He was also charged with attempted murder and weapons offenses in the June 25th shooting of 24 year-old Richard Marte of Elizabeth.
During questioning, West allegedly told investigators that ' he' told him to do it, (referring to the devil).
West cumulative bail for all of his New Jersey charges was set at $5.5 million.
Related story:
https://www.rlsmedia.com/article/authorities-seek-death-penalty-elizabeth-man-accused-killing-seven-nj-pa