A St. Paul man who authorities say claimed responsibility for a fatal shooting when arrested at an East Side murder scene in August pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder.
Lepierre C. Carpenter, 24, had been accused of killing Parnell M. Robinson, 26, also of St. Paul, outside the Ames Avenue apartment building where Carpenter lived. Robinson's girlfriend lived in the apartment unit next to Carpenter and his girlfriend, the charges say.
According to a Ramsey County District Court complaint, Carpenter and Robinson were acquaintances, and had argued about drugs for two to three months on Facebook before the Aug. 3 shooting. At the time of the incident, however, Robinson's only comments were described as being made in jest and were directed at another man, the charges say.
After he was shot, Robinson was quoting saying "Why?" before falling to the ground. Carpenter waited for police and told officers when they arrived: "It's me … I let my rage get the best of me."
Sentencing has been set for Jan. 15.
Anthony Lonetree
