Jess Rollins, Springfield News-Leader
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - One of five people charged in the deaths of a Willard couple pleaded guilty today in Taney County Court.
Phillip Friend, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of felonious restraint for his role in the April 18, 2011 disappearance and deaths of Russell and Rebecca Porter, according to a news release from the Taney County Prosecutor.
As part of a plea agreement, Friend's murder charges were reduced from first- to second-degree murder. Two counts of armed criminal action were also dismissed as part to the agreement.
Each murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Court proceedings continue against Phillip's father, Tony Friend, Dusty Hicks, Robert Campbell, and Tony Friend's wife, Windy Friend.
Charges against the five defendants were filed by a Taney County grand jury. Court documents have revealed little about possible motives or the details of the homicides.
The skeletal remains of the Porters were found in remote Taney County in late July 2011. Taney County Coroner Kevin Tweedy said each died of gunshot wounds to the head.
Most recently indicted in the April 2011 deaths was Robert Campbell, 68.
He was charged in December with two counts of first-degree murder. Court documents say Campbell caused the deaths of the Porters by "offering consideration to one or more persons to kill" them and "one or more persons accepted the offer."
Campbell lived next door to the Porters on Highway HH in Willard. Campbell is also Russell Porter's uncle.
Court records reveal a heated dispute between Campbell and the Porters.
Less than a month before the Porters disappeared, Russell Porter filed for a protection order against Campbell.
In those Greene County documents, Russell Porter wrote he and his wife had been harassed and threatened by Campbell.
For his part, Campbell wrote that he was afraid of Russell Porter because "I am old and got medical health problems."
Two weeks after the Porters disappeared, Greene County deputies searched 120 acres that surrounded the home - including land on which Campbell lived.
