East Texas

By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer

A Frankston man charged murder for shooting a woman in front a Tyler business and then turning the gun on himself, pleaded guilty Thursday in a Smith County court.

Michael Scott Hudnall, 39, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the slaying of JoAnna Marie Jones, 37, outside the entrance of a Chicago Bridge & Iron building on Nov. 25.

Hudnall and his attorney Joshua Wintters, entered into a plea agreement with Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham in 241st District Judge Jack Skeen Jr.'s court for the 50-year sentence.

Hudnall was facing five years to life in prison but because of two prior felony convictions, including an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge in 2004 and a felony obstruction or retaliation charge in 1996, his murder charge was enhanced to 25 years to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 25 years.

If Hudnall had received a life sentence, he would have been eligible for parole in 30 years.

Bingham said that with the plea agreement, the conviction is final and there will be no appeals.

Ms. Jones was an employee at CB&I, and Hudnall worked for the company at another location, police said. The two reportedly had an ongoing relationship.

After the shooting, Hudnall was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries that occurred when he shot himself in the jaw.

Updated Friday, July 10, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. CDT