Man pleads guilty in deadly 2013 cold case shooting

JACKSON, Tenn. — A man pleaded guilty Tuesday morning in a deadly 2013 shooting in Lincoln Courts.

Autonius Merriweather entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of second-degree murder. He is accused of killing Deandre Thomas, 26, on Nov. 5, 2013.

A cold case investigation led to Merriweather being indicted in August 2015.

The police department’s Cold Case Unit pursued leads, conducted interviews and had physical evidence tested, which led to the indictment, police previously have said.

Merriweather was sentenced to 18 years to be served at 100 percent.

He also pleaded guilty to other charges including possession of a handgun during a violent crime and multiple drug counts.