A marijuana plant flourishes under grow lights at a warehouse in Denver on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. (Ed Andrieski, AP Photo)

Man pleads guilty in Colorado murder involving pot plant theft

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — A man accused of murdering a Steamboat Springs man for his marijuana plants has reached a plea deal requiring him to be sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Lucas Johnson mug shot
Lucas Johnson’s mug shot (Routt County Sheriff’s Office)

According to Steamboat Pilot & Today, 39-year-old Lucas Johnson on Thursday pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempting to escape from Routt County Jail. Under the deal, prosecutors will recommend Johnson serve 34 years in prison for the death of Edward Zimmerman and one year for the attempted escape.

In October jailers discovered that Johnson had tried to dig a hole in a cinder block at the jail with a Monopoly hat game piece.

Authorities say Zimmerman was found shot in the face in the Johnson’s backyard in March 2015.

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.