The first of four suspects in a 2022 murder in Eau Claire has accepted a plea deal.
Michael Purnell yesterday agreed to a no contest plea for the shooting death of Christopher Connell. Purnell’s deal saw prosecutors agree to drop first degree murder charges in exchange for new charges of being party to felony murder. Investigators say Purnell is one of four people involved in the murder. The other three suspects have yet to go to trial or accept pleas of their own.
