/Local NewsFourth defendant in Ringgold student’s murder pleads guilty to lesser charge1 / 2 Karon Whitlock 2 / 2 Annalaya Wilkerson [expand] closeThe fourth defendant charged in the murder of a Ringgold High School senior in South Franklin more than two years ago pleaded guilty to a lesser charge Tuesday after he cooperated with prosecutors in the case. Barfield Jr., 21, of Washington, pleaded guilty to felony charges of third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit homicide in January and was sentenced to serve 22 to 44 years in a state prison. His 19-year-old brother, Anthony Barfield, also pleaded guilty in January to one felony count of conspiracy to commit homicide by planning with his brother and then setting up the meeting between the shooter and victims. He was sentenced to serve 15 to 30 years in prison as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. Whitlock has been jailed without bond since his arrest in two weeks after Wilkerson’s murder, so he will be given credit for time served.