Francis "Terry" Morgia pleads Guilty

Watertown (Nathan Lehman WTNY) -- A Watertown man pleads guilty to charges connected to a police chase last fall that left an innocent person dead. Forty eight year old Francis "Terry" Morgia pleaded guilty Tuesday in Jefferson County Court to a total of 11 counts including second degree attempted murder.

The plea comes as Morgia's case was set to go to trial after being indicted on a total of 72 counts connected to the October 3 crash at the intersection of Routes 12 and 342 in the Town of Pamelia.

Police were pursuing Morgia in connection to a reported purse snatching outside of Kohl's Department store in Watertown. Morgia's vehicle crashed into another vehicle, killing 75 year old Shirley Hammond of Brownville and injuring several others in the vehicle.

Morgia also pleaded guilty to counts of driving while ability impaired by drugs and grand larceny. He will be sentenced to 18 years in prison followed by five years of post release supervision on June 25