Marcus Birt will serve two decades for the robbery and murder of Warren Ransom, 33. A Chattanooga man who pleaded guilty today to second-degree murder was sentenced to 20 years of prison.
Marcus Birt will serve two decades in the Tennessee Department of Corrections and is ineligible for parole, said Executive Assistant District Attorney Lance Pope.
Police arrested Birt shortly after a driver found Warren Ransom, 33, dead on the side of 1200 Hooker Road in March 2014. Authorities ruled Ransom's death a homicide and arrested Birt, who remained in Hamilton County Jail on felony murder and especially aggravated robbery charges until today's plea agreement.
Pope said Judge Barry Steelman read Birt his rights in Hamilton County Criminal Court then accepted his plea deal. In December 2014, Steelman had said witness testimony made him hesitant to lower Birt's $1 million bond to a level that would allow him to be released.
Records show Birt, 34, has a lengthy criminal record that includes charges of robbery, possession of cocaine, and domestic assault.