PERRY, Fla. (AP) - A Florida Panhandle man will serve 15 years in prison for his part in a fatal burglary.
The Tallahassee Democrat reports that Manden Whiddon pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal Monday to accessory to first-degree murder, burglary while armed, dealing in stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Authorities say Whiddon, his father Rodney Whiddon and Garrett Arrowood broke into the Taylor County home of Arrowood's aunt, Shelly Strickland, in June 2015 to steal some valuable arrowheads. Manden Whiddon testified that Strickland returned home early, and Arrowood shot her during a confrontation in the home's garage.
Arrowood was convicted of her murder last year and sentenced to life in prison. Rodney Whiddon is set to go on trial later this month.
Strickland worked 29 years for the Taylor County School District.
