KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Kalamazoo County man is now looking at 14 to 38 years behind bars for the death of a Vicksburg man nearly 6 years ago.
Joshua Wessel was sentenced in court on Monday, January 30 for allegedly killing 71-year-old Ronald French on June 4, 2017.
According to court documents, Wessel is accused of committing the murder following an argument at French’s home in Vicksburg. Documents also showed that he’s accused of wrapping vacuum cords around French’s neck, and dragging him into a field in Fulton, where his remains were found three weeks later according to police.
Authorities say Wessel became a person of interest in the case after he was arrested while driving French’s stolen car.
He agreed to waive his preliminary examination to have his open murder charge downgraded to second-degree murder, which he pled guilty to on January 10. Under the agreement, Wessel could not be convicted of first-degree murder, which carries a life sentence.
