ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A woman has been sentenced after she was charged with shooting and killing a long-time friend inside a car in February.

According to a release, 47-year-old Bessie Thomas has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after she pleaded guilty Friday to charges of voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in an agreement with prosecutors.

The victim of the shooting was identified as 36-year-old Rita Williams.

According to a St. Louis Metropolitan Police probable cause statement, Thomas said she and Williams were roommates and had been friends for years. They were spending time with another long-time friend one weekend in February 2025 when an argument erupted.

Police said Williams was in the passenger seat of the car when she and Thomas, who was in the b

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