(KNZA)-- plea deal is on the table for a northwest Missouri teen accused of murdering his grandparents.
16-year-old Joseph Johnson appeared in a Buchanan County courtroom Friday for a preliminary hearing on two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of 72-year-old James Johnson, and 76-year-old Beverly Johnson.
KQ2-TV reports Buchanan County Prosecutor Dwight Scroggins announced he would reduce the charges to second-degree murder if Johnson pleads guilty, and file no additional charges.
Johnson waived his preliminary hearing.
The Johnsons' bodies were found at the home they shared with their grandson east of St. Joseph on July 4. Investigators say the couple was shot to death and that James Johnson may have also been strangled.
Last week, a judge ruled Joseph Johnson could stand trial as an adult.
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