A Florida woman who pleaded not guilty Tuesday to helping two suspects in a fatal shooting in Burlington last week has changed her plea to guilty.
Takesha Thomas pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of providing false information to police. She was sentenced to 22 to 24 months consecutive but suspended, and will serve 4 years probation.
Thomas pleaded not guilty to accessory after the fact Tuesday. That charge was dismissed without prejudice in the plea reached with prosecutors Wednesday
Thomas and a second woman, Angelina Pearson-Fitzpatrick, 54, of Burlington, were accused of disposing a garbage bag containing clothing worn by Johnny Ford, 32, and Brandon Sanders, 18, who have been charged with second-degree murder in Hampton’s death.
The women were also accused of helping Sanders and Ford flee to southern New England and reserving a hotel room under Thomas’ relative’s name.
Ford and Sanders are awaiting extradition from Connecticut, where they were arrested. They are scheduled to be arraigned by video Thursday.
James Felix, 36, also faces second-degree murder charges. He is at University of Vermont Medical Center recovering from gunshot wounds he suffered during the incident.
Another Florida woman, Lesine Woodson, has also been charged with second degree murder. She has pleaded not guilty.
Police say the shooting was drug-related and crack cocaine was found on Hampton’s body.
