DENVER (AP) -- A man who authorities say fired the shot that killed a 2-year-old boy unexpectedly pleaded guilty to lesser charges during the second day of his first-degree murder trial.
Forty-one-year-old Earl Ryan pleaded guilty Wednesday to child abuse resulting in death and second-degree assault. He faces up to 28 years in prison at sentencing May 4.
Authorities say Ryan fired the shot killed Noah Crookham in October 2008. Denver police say Ryan had been living with the boy's mother.
Police said the shooting happened when the boy's father, Thomas Crookham, went to his estranged wife's home and Ryan grabbed a gun when he saw him. Crookham was running away with Noah in his arms when Ryan fired the shots that killed the youngster.
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