MARSHALL - A 21-year-old Balaton man pleaded guilty Thursday to killing a couple last year at their Lyon County farm home.
The Marshall Independent reported Thursday that Derek Michael Hexum pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder while committing burglary, first-degree burglary, first-degree arson and second-degree arson.
Hexum was first charged in May with killing James Donald Hively, 75, and Catherine Agnes Hively, 71, after breaking into their rural Balaton home.
Court records say he was also alleged to have stolen firearms and set fire to the home. The fire was reported April 30, and the couple was found dead inside the farmhouse.
Last week, Hexum was indicted on first-degree murder.
