Kansas City, Mo. ? A 19-year-old pleaded guilty Thursday to manslaughter for killing the leader of a Kansas City ska band during a fight between two groups in the parking lot of a Jesuit high school.

Eric Givans, of Kansas City, had been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Under the terms of a plea deal, he admitted to voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of Richie Restivo, 19, a singer for the popular band the Uprights.

He died of stab wounds after a February 2004 fight outside his Rockhurst High School.

Givans could face a sentence of between three and 15 years when he is sentenced Feb. 3 in Jackson County Circuit Court.

The prosecution and defense, along with Restivo’s family, called the plea deal fair.

“The Restivos sought justice, not vengeance,” said Kevin Regan, a lawyer and spokesman for the family.

The defense argued that Restivo arranged for the fight and that Restivo and his friends arrived at the high school armed with baseball bats.

But the prosecution noted in filing the original charges that Givans stabbed Restivo seven times, including twice in the neck from behind. Court records said a set of brass knuckles with a 3 1/2-inch blade attached was used in the attack.