A Beloit homicide suspect reaches an apparent plea deal in Rock County Court.
33-year-old Michael Joseph did not formally plead guilty Tuesday but he reached a plea agreement with Assistant District Attorney Jerry Urbik.
Joseph was originally charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the 2016 shooting death of 32-year-old Tony Payne outside of the Turtle Tap.
The agreement will see Joseph plead guilty to a reduced charge of negligent homicide, while additional firearms charges will be dismissed and read into the record.
The maximum penalty on the amended charge is five years of prison and five years of supervision, as opposed to the life sentence he faced for the initial filing.
A formal plea hearing is set for August 10 and a sentencing date will follow.
