NATCHEZ — Three Adams County men accepted pleas — one for second-degree murder — Thursday in connection with a 2015 shooting characterized as a drug-deal turned murder.

Kelsey Michael Watson, 20, 118 Brookfield Drive, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing Clifford Barnes in October 2015.

Chadrich Akeem Watson, 23, 135 Lewis Drive, and Darnell D. Stevenson, 18, 210 Country Club Drive, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

A fourth man, Darryl Keith Hurts Jr., 19, 210 Country Club Drive, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery in March.

Chadrich Watson had been set for trial this upcoming Thursday.

Barnes, who died after being shot several times, was found in his wrecked Toyota Camry in a ditch on Kings Circle.

A woman, pregnant at the time of the incident, was found alive in the vehicle. She had been shot in the back and was treated in a Jackson-area hospital.

The masked subjects allegedly tried to rob the victims prior to the shooting.

Circuit Court Judge Forrest “Al” Johnson sentenced Chadrich Watson and Stevenson to the maximum of 5 years in prison.

Johnson said Kelsey Watson’s sentencing has been delayed until later during the August term. Kelsey Watson faces a sentencing of not less than 20 years but not more than 40 years.

Hurts’ sentencing has also been delayed, as he faces additional charges, Johnson said.

Kelsey Watson was in jail Tuesday with no bond set.

Hurts was in jail Tuesday on a charge of simple assault. While Hurts’ bond is set at $2,500, he has a hold preventing release.