Kansas City, Mo. ? A bungled photo lineup means a Kansas City man who pleaded guilty to killing two men could be paroled within months of beginning his sentence.

Jeremy J. Sinclair, 31, pleaded guilty Friday to two charges of voluntary manslaughter. He had been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, but prosecutors lowered the charges after their strongest witness’ testimony was thrown out.

Prosecutors contend Sinclair broke into an apartment on Oct. 10, 1997, and shot into a darkened bedroom, killing Michael Beall, 38, and James Pearce, 34.

According to court records, investigators believe Sinclair’s intended victim was a man sleeping in a garage below the apartment. That man told police Sinclair was angry with him about a botched drug deal.

The state’s main witness was a teenager who had trouble picking Sinclair out of a photo lineup. At one point, she flipped over one of the photos and saw Sinclair’s name on the back. Months later, she identified Sinclair in a video array of possible suspects, but her credibility as a witness was tainted.

After a detective testified Thursday about the blunder, senior Jackson County Judge Lee E. Wells threw out the witness’ testimony.

Rather than risk an acquittal, prosecutors on Friday worked out the plea agreement that allowed Sinclair to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Sinclair accepted the deal, and Wells imposed a five-year sentence.

With credit for three years he’s served, Sinclair could be eligible for parole when he goes to prison, said John Fougere, Missouri Department of Corrections spokesman.