A Morongo Valley man accused of murder in the stabbing death of a neighbor two years ago took a plea bargain Friday. On April 5, 2014, Chad Leyburn, now 31, was arguing with his neighbor, Robert Verbeck, 74, when he took out a knife and stabbed Verbeck five times, killing him. Leyburn pleaded guilty in a Joshua Tree courtroom to voluntary manslaughter using a deadly weapon, elder abuse causing great bodily injury, and assault causing great bodily injury. Chad Leyburn will be sentenced by Judge Rodney Cortez August 25.
