(KALAMAZOO) – A guilty plea to a charge of second degree murder was entered by a Kalamazoo County man.

According to WWMT, Joshua Wessel plead guilty to the charge in relation to the June 4, 2017 death of 71 year old Ronald French of Vicksburg. Investigators say the two men got into an argument in French’s home. Wessel allegedly wrapped vacuum cords around French’s neck and then dragged him into a field.

French’s remains were found in a field in Fulton approximately three weeks later.

Authorities say that Wessel became a person of interest in the investigation after he was arrested while driving French’s stolen car.

Wessel was arrested and went through several competency evaluations, and was declared competent to stand trial September 22, 2021. Wessel claimed he was innocent when he was arraigned.

In an agreement with the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office, Wessel waived his right to a preliminary examination, which downgraded his open murder charge to second degree murder.

Wessel is scheduled to be sentenced on January 30.