Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder in 2024 Vermont Shooting
Newport, VT – Jakiy Tramaine Corey Keith, 26, of Hartford, Connecticut, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and unauthorized removal of a body in connection with the February 2024 death of Kayla Wright, 29, of Derby, Vermont. The plea deal, reached on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in Orleans County Superior criminal court, reduces the charge from the initial first-degree murder accusation.
Details of the Case
According to court documents and reports from the Vermont State Police, Keith shot Wright multiple times inside a home on Route 100 in Troy, Vermont, early in the morning of February 2, 2024. Wright’s body was later discovered in a toolbox in the Missisquoi River in Troy. WCAX reports investigators believe Keith shot Wright since she threatened to report his drug-dealing activities to the police.
Plea Deal and Sentencing
As part of the plea agreement, Keith pleaded guilty to both second-degree murder and unauthorized removal of a body. VTDigger reports that Judge Rory Thibault has ordered the Vermont Department of Corrections to prepare a report detailing Keith’s background and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances before sentencing. The charge of second-degree murder carries a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison. Had he been convicted of first-degree murder, Keith could have faced 35 years to life in prison.
Concurrent Federal Sentence
Keith also pleaded guilty earlier this month in federal court to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled drugs and using a firearm in relation to a drug-trafficking crime. The state and federal sentences are expected to run concurrently, meaning Keith will serve both sentences simultaneously. The Newport Vermont Daily Express notes that Keith will receive credit for time already served since his arrest on February 6, 2024.
Additional Individuals Involved
Aaron Camp, 34, of Derby, and Terron “Josh” Pendleton, 34, of Waterbury, previously faced charges of accessory to murder in connection with the case and have already been sentenced. WCAX confirms this information.
Next Steps
Judge Thibault intends to schedule a sentencing hearing for June. The Vermont Department of Corrections report will be a key factor in determining the final sentence imposed on Keith.