By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
A Salisbury man charged in 2006 with killing a man and burying his body in a wooded area in Woodleaf pleaded guilty this week to second-degree murder.
Christopher Ray Allman, 39, will spend more than 20 years in prison for killing Sven Warren Spearman at a home on Dan Street.
The trial began Tuesday and after the first witness testified, Allman settled on a plea.
He was sentenced to at least 20 years and up to 25 years.
Three other people also charged in the murder have not yet gone to trial.
Jennifer Elizabeth Swanda, 32, was charged with murder. Benjamin Joseph Wallace, 38, and Lori Ann Archie, 44, were charged with accessory after the fact of murder. Accessory charges against Matthew Tapley, 21, were dismissed two weeks ago, District Attorney Bill Kenerly said.
Investigators have said an altercation occurred at 217 Dan St. Allman told officers in 2006 that Spearman was shot in self-defense.
Spearman’s body was wrapped in plastic and taken to a wooded area in Woodleaf. Allman directed officers to the area near property owned by Wetmore Farms. Spearman was buried under tree limbs and debris.
Investigators believe Wallace and Archie assisted after the murder by helping to clean the crime scene and providing a shovel to conceal Spearman’s body. They also helped by moving Spearman’s car, authorities say.
See Friday’s Post and www.salisburypost.com for more details.