A co-defendant in the Feb. 28 slaying of a Williamson Road convenience store manager pleaded no contest to first-degree murder and attempted robbery this morning.
 
Beverly Ricardo Mangum, 54, also pleaded no contest in the robbery of a second Williamson Road convenience store on Feb. 26. In both instances, Mangum selected the targets and acted as the getaway driver. According to court evidence, Calvin Bond Watson, 52, actually wielded the gun and took the money. It was Watson who shot Jayeshkumar Brahmbhatt after they struggled at the One Stop Market cash register, according to evidence.
 
Mangum, who was charged with the murder as a principle in the second degree, received a total sentence of 30 years in prison suspended after serving 20. Assistant Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Sheri Jones said under Virginia law, Mangum will become eligible for geriatric parole at age 65, regardless of whether he received a life sentence or a term of years. The only exception is capital murder, which Mangum was not charged with because he wasn't the gunman.
 
Watson's trial on capital murder and other charges is scheduled to start Feb. 2. Jones said in court that Watson has confessed to the shooting and was prepared to testify against Mangum had the case not ended in a plea.