The suspect in a Twentynine Palms murder from nearly four years ago accepted a plea bargain in a Joshua Tree courtroom last week. During a pre-trial hearing in front of Judge Rodney Cortez, Manuel Garcia, 30, of Twentynine Palms, pleaded guilty September 18 to the murder of Patrick McGee, 32. During the early morning hours of October 15, 2015, Garcia entered a home in the 5500 block of Abronia Avenue and shot and killed McGee. After Garcia fled, a woman ran next door and asked for help. Garcia was located a few hours later and was arrested. Manuel Garcia pled guilty to murder, with enhancements for using a firearm and committing a violent crime within five years of a previous prison sentence. He is scheduled to be sentenced December 12 in the Joshua Tree Superior Court.
