Murder suspect pleaded guilty

A man is currently serving a 40-year prison sentence after he took a plea earlier this month in connection to a February 2008 homicide near Billy's Zodiac Club, attorney Bill Bowden told the Odessa American.

Billy Gene Harris pleaded guilty on June 8 to a charge of murder in the shooting death of Cornelius Jubar Washington. Bowden said Harris will not be eligible for parole until he serves at least 20 years in prison.

Bowden said he changed his plea to guilty after the plea was worked out, more than a year after he had been arrested and charged with murder.

"You never feel particularly good about someone going to the penitentiary for 40 years," Bowden said.

Washington was fatally shot with a shotgun on Feb. 19, 2008 at 400 S. Dixie Blvd., after an argument. Harris was arrested that evening at the La Promesa South apartment complex following a standoff.