A man charged in connection with the investigation of the murder of a Lawrence-area rapper has pleaded no contest to felony weapons charges.

Carlos “Smurf” Green pleaded no contest Friday to being a felon in possession of a firearm – a charge that came about during the investigation into the murder of Anthony Vital.

Vital was found dead from gunshot wounds in a field just west of Lawrence on Oct. 14 – the same day Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigators say Green had a handgun illegally.

District Attorney Charles Branson said Green likely would go into federal custody because of a parole violation for a previous conviction.

Records show Green absconded from his parole Sept. 11, 2006.

Another man, Major Edwards Jr., is awaiting trial on federal gun charges in connection with the Vital investigation. No trial date has been set.