ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont man has pleaded guilty to killing a man in exchange for a sentence of 27 years to life in prison.

The Caledonian-Record reports that 31-year-old Allen Draper pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree murder, assault and robbery and giving false information to police in the May 2018 death of Tim Persons, of St. Johnsbury.

The state has agreed to dismiss four other charges, including arson as part of the plea deal.

Police say Draper told them he had gone to Person’s home that night, demanding money to buy drugs. Draper told police when Persons refused, he hit him in the head with a radiator pipe and set his home on fire.

Draper knew Persons from volunteer work Persons did at a half-way house where Draper was living on furlough.

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