ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County man accused of shooting and killing a teenager who stole diapers from a Walmart in 2017 pleaded no-contest in court on Monday, the day his trial was expected to start.
Lonnie Leonard was facing a manslaughter charge after investigators said he shot and killed Arthur Adams, 19, while the teen was running away from store employees through a Walmart parking lot on Clarcona Ocoee Road. Deputies said Adams had stolen diapers from the store.
[ READ: Man charged with killing Walmart diaper thief has new explanation for what happened ]
Investigators said Leonard had no involvement in the situation and had no reason to shoot Adams.
Up until Monday, Leonard has claimed he shot Adams in self-defense despite how police described the incident had played out.
Jury selection was underway Monday before Leonard entered his no-contest plea.
Leonard will be sentenced in November.
[ READ: Man accused of fatally shooting diaper thief claims officer made death threat inside jail ]
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