EDINBURG (September 25, 2012)—David Tarbutton, 20 of Mission, has pleaded guilty to killing an 86-year-old friend during a robbery in a plea deal that will spare him from execution.
Tarbutton was sentenced to life in prison for killing World War II veteran Willis Kimmons, a former Border Patrol agent who was found beaten to death on July 12, 2011 in his home in Mission.
Investigators say Kimmons taught Tarbutton about guns and took him hunting.
Authorities say several weapons were stolen from the victim's residence, including a handgun recovered from Tarbutton when he was arrested.
A co-defendant is awaiting trial.
