A former county jailer and bondsman pleaded no contest in a murder case on Tuesday morning.
Floyd H. Goodwin, 40, appeared before Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman.
Prosecutor Steve Smith said a compromise had been worked out in which Goodwin would plead to reckless homicide and receive a two-year prison term.
His attorney, Bill Pope, said there will be a sentencing hearing at which Goodwin will ask for probation or for judicial diversion. The hearing was set for April 19.
Goodwin remains free on bond though the prosecutor said Goodwin has picked up three new charges while on bond - theft, assault and a weapons charge. The judge said if he picks up one more charge his bond will be revoked.
Police earlier said Goodwin confessed to the death of 37-year-old Jillean Orr that occurred at 2200 Rawlings St. He was initially charged with first-degree murder.
Chattanooga Police answered a call around 3:30 a.m. on that Sunday in regard to a woman lying in the street unresponsive at the intersection of Rawlings and Dodson Avenue. When officers arrived, they found the woman had received a gunshot wound to the back.
Ms. Orr was taken to Erlanger Medical Center, where she later succumbed to the injuries.
Witnesses reported seeing Ms. Orr in a 1980s full size van when the shooting occurred. The van is reported to have a ladder on the back, chrome running boards and is red or burgundy or rust in color. It could possibly have beige trim.
Prosecutor Smith said Goodwin shot Ms. Orr. He said Goodwin claims he was acting in self-defense.
He said it has been difficult to get witnesses into court in the case.
Ms. Orr was in the news in 2000 when she and her then-boyfriend, Gene Shelton Rucker, Jr., were charged in connection with a fire on MLK Boulevard that claimed the life of Beverly Young.
Ms. Orr testified for the state against Rucker, who was convicted of felony murder and aggravated arson.
The charges were dismissed against Ms. Orr.
Police said Goodwin did not have a criminal record at the time of his arrest for murder.
Attorney Pope said Goodwin is currently without any funds, but he said he is going through trucker school and hopes to get a job driving a truck.
He has sons ages nine and five.