Bedford County, PA (WJAC) — A Bedford County man who was accused of shooting his cousin last year and then conspiring to burn his body has entered a guilty plea in the case.
According to officials with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Derek Louk entered a plea to one count of third-degree murder and abuse of a corpse in the death of Tyler Matthai last April.
Authorities say Louk admitted to fatally shooting Matthai on April 26, 2022, and then conspiring with two others to burn the body and cover up the crime.
“The defendant not only pulled the trigger, he then conspired to conceal his horrific crimes by destroying the evidence — the victim’s body,” Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “With this plea, he is accepting responsibility for such senseless acts of violence and disregard for human life.”
Louk's two co-conspirators, Courtney Boden and Jordan Robertson previously pleaded guilty in the case.
Boden was sentenced to 2 & 1/4 to 12 years in prison, while Robertson is still awaiting sentencing.
Authorities say Louk faces 15 to 30 years behind bars and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22nd.
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