Man Charged With 1997 Murder Of Wife Enters Plea

The Yakima County Prosecutor's Office says a man charged with the 1997 death of his wife has entered an Alford plea. Barry Beckford on Wednesday entered the plea after a trial last month in which the jury was unable to find him guilty of first-degree murder.
On Wednesday Beckford entered what's called an Alford plea, allowing him to maintain his innocence knowing he'd likely be convicted of if he were to face a new trial.
As a result Beckford will be sentenced under a second-degree manslaughter charge. A hearing is set for next Tuesday in which he could be sentenced to up to 27 months in prison.
He's currently being held in the Yakima County jail.