3rd Teen Reaches Deal In Principal Slaying

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) -- The third of four suspects charged in the slaying of a D.C. middle school principal has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

Montgomery County court records show that 19-year-old Joel Johnson intends to plead guilty to accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Johnson had initially been charged with murder in the April slaying of Brian Betts. The reduced charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.

Johnson is due in court for a hearing on Tuesday. Prosecutors say Betts met his killer, 19-year-old Alante Saunders, through a sex chat line and agreed to leave the door to his Silver Spring home open.

Saunders pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Nineteen-year-old Sharif Lancaster pleaded guilty to robbery and a handgun charge.