Merlynn David Kilfoyle still denies fatally shooting a friend and former co-worker nine years ago at the victim's Ogden home.
But to avoid possible conviction of murder for the death of 37-year-old John Thomas Rush, Kilfoyle this month pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of third-degree felony homicide by assault. He also pleaded guilty to a second-degree felony firearms count.
Deputy Weber County Attorney William Daines said "problems with witnesses" drove the plea negotiation from his side of the table.
Kilfoyle, 31, faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 17 by 2nd District Judge Michael DiReda.
The death of Ruash on May 24, 2000, from a single gunshot wound to the head was initially deemed a suicide.
Kilfoyle was in the home when Rush died, but he denied pulling the trigger.
Kilfoyle was charged with first-degree felony murder in August 2006 after he admitted to an informant he had shot Rush, according to court documents.
Daines said Kilfoyle also pleaded guilty to purchasing a handgun for Rush, who could not buy the gun himself because of a 1996 felony conviction in Provo's 4th District Court for failing to stop for police.
