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2nd man accused in 2015 double murder pleads guilty

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – A Lafayette man pleaded guilty last week to charges connected to a double homicide in Lafayette in August 2015.

Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington told 24-Hour News 8’s sister station, WLFI, Matthew Oertel pleaded guilty on July 14 to two counts of Felony murder and one count of being a serious violent felon in possession of a firearm, pursuant to a plea agreement.

Co-defendant in the case Jacob Guffey pleaded guilty on June 28 to two counts of felony murder and one count of auto theft.

Both men were charged in August 2015 for the murders of 36-year-old Aaron Hunter Junior and 46-year-old Terry Smith Junior, who both lived in a home on Perrine Street. Both men died of gunshot wounds.

According to court documents, Oertel told investigators he dropped Guffey off in an alley behind the Perrine Street home before the two men were shot. However, Guffey said he was in the home at the time of the murders but Oertel shot the men.

Harrington said Oertel faces 45-60 years in prison to be determined at his sentencing, which is set for September 23. He said Guffey faces 55-67 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled on Oct. 6.