Michael D. Thompkins, 26, of Pulaski, pleaded guilty Friday, Sept. 7 to first-degree murder for a stabbing that occurred in Joppa, on March 25, according to Massac County State's Attorney Patrick Windhorst.

Windhorst said Thompkins was sentenced to 40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and under Illinois' Truth-in-Sentencing law, he will have to serve 100 percent of the sentence.

Judge Joe Jackson presided over the case and accepted the guilty plea. Windhorst prosecuted the case and Thompkins was represented by Marilou Shaner.

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