The Natchez resident whose weapon of choice was a pecan limb will soon face punishment for his crime.

William Christopher Bradley, 26, 12 Oak Lane, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter Monday for the fall 1999 killing of Demetric Donnell Long, 21, 414B Watts Ave.

He will be sentenced at 9 a.m March 31 in Adams County Circuit Court and could receive up to 20 years in prison.

At Monday’s hearing, Long’s mother and sister addressed the court.

&uot;He was my life,&uot;&160;said his mother Elizabeth Weir.

She asked the court to punish Bradley severely.

&uot;I feel like he should serve life because he took a life,&uot;&160;she said.

Since Long’s death, Weir said she has had many health problems and received many medical bills stemming from her son’s fatal injuries.

Officials believe Bradley struck Long in the head with the pecan limb. The incident took place on Margaret Lane in the presence of witnesses. There had been reports of an ongoing dispute between the two men.

After the assault, Long drifted into a coma and was transported to University Medical Center. He died there the next morning.

At the hearing, Long’s sister, Terry Williams said she was full of anger over what had happened.

&uot;Every time I close my eyes, I see him lying there,&uot; she said. &uot;I only thought I would see something like (this) on TV,&uot;&160;she said.

Long is also survived by an 11-month old son.

Bradley asked for the family’s forgiveness and said the act was a form of retaliation.

&uot;I apologize,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;I didn’t mean to kill (him).&uot;