ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis man appeared in St. Louis Circuit Court on Wednesday and admitted to fatally shooting his girlfriend in 2020 as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
John Albert, 28, had faced trial next week for the death of Carmen Pawnell. The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office initially charged Albert with first-degree murder, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and two additional felonies.
The shooting happened around 9 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2020, at a home in the 4800 block of Carter Avenue, located in the city’s Penrose neighborhood.
Officers arrived to find Pawnell in the foyer of the home with several gunshots to her chest. Pawnell was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 20.
Police learned Albert was holding a firearm and arguing with Pawnell prior to the shooting. During a struggle, police said Albert fired five shots through the front door of the residence and struck Pawnell. Two children were in the home at the time of the shooting.
Prosecutors agreed to drop the two additional felonies and reduce the murder charge to first-degree involuntary manslaughter in exchange for Albert’s guilty plea.
The judge approved the plea agreement and sentenced Albert to 10 years in state prison, with credit for time served while awaiting trial.
Albert did not make a statement in court on Wednesday.