BANGOR — A former Eastern Maine Community College student charged with fatally stabbing a man in Bangor last year has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Akeem Harris, of Amityville, New York, was charged with stabbing 30-year-old Thomas Taylor in the chest during a fight in the parking lot of an apartment building in April 2013.

The fight was reportedly sparked by a long-running dispute between Taylor and Harris’ friend.

WABI-TV reports that the 24-year-old Harris was originally charged with murder but pleaded Wednesday in Penobscot County Superior Court to the lesser charge under a deal with prosecutors. Under the deal he is expected to get 12 years in prison at sentencing.

Harris originally said the stabbing was in self-defense, but defense attorney Zachary Brandmeir says the deal was fair.


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