FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – Zachary Proper, the 14-year-old Oil City boy who was charged with shooting and killing his grandparents at their home in October 2012, has agreed to a plea deal that could keep him in prison for up to 80 years.
During a preliminary hearing in July, Oliver J. Judge Lobaugh ruled there was enough evidence to try Proper in the shooting deaths of his grandparents, 69-year-old George Fross and 67-year-old Dorothy Fross at their home in Sandycreek Township, Venango County. Lobaugh later decided Proper would be tried in adult court.
Proper pleaded not guilty to two counts of first degree murder before Venango County Judge Oliver J. Lobaugh on August 26, 2013.
On Tuesday, Proper agreed to a plea deal, pleading guilty on both counts of third degree murder. The plea agreement will keep Proper in prison for 17 1/2 to 40 years for each count. The sentences will run consecutively.
Police say the