Man connected to deadly 2021 convenience store shooting pleas guilty

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A man accused of shooting and killing a Baton Rouge rapper in 2021 accepted a plea deal on Wednesday.

Clarence Jones, 19, originally pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on March 4. By April 17, Jones pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder charge which was amended to attempted second-degree robbery. Jones also pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact, according to court documents.

The 19th District Judicial Judge Fred Crifasi ordered Jones to 20 years but suspended 10 years as part of the deal.

Jones was one of two suspects who were believed to be connected to the shooting death of 34-year-old Baton Rouge man Rayfel Matta Jr. outside of a convenience store in the 5500 block of McClelland Drive in 2021.

Members of alleged Baton Rouge gang accused of violent crimes formally charged

The other suspect was identified as Anthony Taylor, 20. Taylor was sentenced to life in prison, according to court documents.

Taylor and Jones were juveniles at the time of the shooting.

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