Eastpointe, Mich., resident Marquez Cannon pleaded guilty to one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree Wednesday afternoon in Mason’s 30th Circuit Court for raping MSU freshman Olivia Pryor.
Cannon, 18, is one of two suspects arrested after Pryor was found dead by her roommate in her South Hubbard Hall dorm room in March 2012. He previously was charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in August 2012 for the alleged rape of Pryor and her roommate and for furnishing or selling alcohol to a minor resulting in death.
In exchange for accepting a plea bargain, the second charge of furnishing alcohol to a minor causing death and a third charge of sexual criminal conduct in the third degree were dropped.
“A 10-year felony and a 15-year penalty were dropped for him to plead for a life-offense felony,” Prosecutor Bill Crino said after the trial.
Cannon accepted the plea bargain. Following this trial, he will be sentenced on May 8th.
By accepting the plea bargain, Cannon will be sentenced to at least six years in prison with a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Detroit resident Dishon Ambrose, who was a friend to Pryor and her roommate, also was arrested and has been charged with selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor causing death in addition to an accessory charge for allegedly attempting to clean up the crime scene.
In October 2012, Ambrose motioned to dismiss the charges against him. This motion was denied by the court.
Ambrose’s case is on the trial docket beginning May 5th, Crino said.
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Discussion
Share and discuss “Man pleads guilty to one count of criminal sexual conduct following MSU student's death” on social media.
