MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Tennessee man avoided a trial and possible death sentence by pleading guilty Wednesday to fatally shooting three people and wounding three others in a daylong series of shootings that was live-streamed on social media in 2022.

Ezekiel Kelly, 22, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and two dozen other charges in a Memphis courtroom. Shelby County Judge James Jones Jr. sentenced Kelly to three life sentences without parole, plus 221 years, in a deal with prosecutors.

Kelly had pleaded not guilty in the September 2022 shooting rampage in Memphis that led to a citywide shelter-in-place order during a frantic manhunt. He took the stand during Wednesday’s hearing, telling the judge he agreed to plead guilty and that he accepted the prison sentences.

Kelly cried and wiped

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