The man accused of gunning down Anthony Nixon, 37, of Junction City has entered a plea deal in Geary County District Court.

Anthony Nichols of Kansas City, Missouri, was charged in the shooting death of Nixon at the intersection of 10th and Webster in the early morning hours of September 7th, 2013. He had faced charges of First Degree Murder and Felon in Possession.

Steve Opat, Geary County Attorney confirmed on Friday Nichols entered no contest pleas and was found guilty to amended charges of Voluntary Manslaughter and Armed Robbery. Opat went on to say that he entered the plea agreement with Nichols due to the certainty of conviction in the case.

“The certainty of a long and substantial prison sentence, and the disposition of the case without the involvement of an appeals process,” said Opat.

He added that Nichols could appeal the sentence, but if the sentence is within the lawful guidelines he can’t appeal. The sentencing date in Geary County District Court is June 1st.

Opat feels the amended charges could allow for a possible longer prison sentence for Nichols.

“One of the anomaly in this case is that the sentence on the grid, under the guidelines, is potentially more than it would have been had he been convicted of felony murder. Which I thought might be the probable outcome. In other words felony murder would carry a “life sentence” but parole eligibility at 20 years. If my calculations are correct Nichols faces a potential sentence of almost 25 years on the grid.”

Opat plans to argue for the longer 25 year sentence when Nichols is sentenced.

Nichols is also charged with 1st degree murder in a Riley County case stemming from the stabbing death of John Burroughs, 68, of Manhattan on September 8th, 2013. The trial for Nichols in Manhattan is scheduled for July 16th.