Two people arrested last spring for their parts in the 1999 murder of Clarence Rinke pleaded guilty Thursday in Jefferson County District Court.

Appearing before Judge Gary Nafziger, Collin E. Cady, 33, McLouth, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated burglary.

Cady had been charged with first-degree murder but Assistant County Atty. Vic Braden reduced the charge Wednesday.

Charolette M. Bennett, 29, Lawrence, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aiding and abetting burglary. She had been charged with aiding and abetting aggravated robbery.

Cady and Bennett testified last week against Noah J. Gleason, 43, rural Lawrence. They said Gleason had planned to rob Rinke, 55, of cash and marijuana, and they admitted they had helped him.

Rinke died of a gunshot wound the night of Oct. 14, 1999. Rinke entered his home and found Gleason and Cady there. Cady carried a sawed-off shotgun and Rinke struggled with him. The gun went off, striking Rinke in the upper torso.

Bennett’s role was to lure Rinke from his house. He returned to his house and encountered Cady and Gleason.

Cady could be sentenced to a maximum of 493 months in prison for second-degree murder alone. Bennett could be sentenced a maximum of 106 months. In both cases, however, Braden is expected to recommend lesser sentences.

Under Kansas law Gleason is facing a life sentence in prison with no chance for parole until he has served 20 years.

Cady, Gleason and Bennett will be sentenced Sept. 5.