NATCHEZ &045; Murder suspect Edale Minor pleaded guilty Wednesday to the October 2002 shooting death of Edwin Harris and received a sentence of life in prison.

Minor, 26, 313 Dumas Drive, was indicted in March for the murder of Harris.

District Attorney Ronnie Harper said Minor came to court Monday to enter a guilty plea but, after questioning Minor, the judge would not take the plea.

Wednesday, appearing before Circuit Court Judge Forrest &uot;Al&uot; Johnson, Minor entered a guilty plea again.

After Johnson questioned Minor extensively, Harper said Minor &uot;did in fact admit his guilt and his plea.&uot;

Johnson accepted the plea Wednesday.

By statute, this charge carries a sentence of life in prison.

&uot;He will not be eligible for any kind of release until he reaches the age of 65,&uot; Harper said. Since he is 26, he will serve a minimum of 39 years, Harper said.

According to Natchez police, Minor walked up to the car Harris was in, stuck a pistol in the car and shot him once. Harris died later that day at Natchez Regional Medical Center.

The shooting took place Oct. 13, 2002, on Claiborne Street.

Although the motive has still not been ascertained, Harris had previously testified in a murder trial against Minor’s brother, Aldrick Minor, in a previous murder trial, Harper said.

Edale Minor is already serving a 20-year prison term for sale of cocaine.