CRANDON - A second suspect in the Mole Lake stabbing case, the youngest of the six, has reached a plea deal with the state... right at the last minute.

Sixteen-year-old Craig McGeshick agreed to a deal with the State just before he was scheduled to go to trial for six felonies, including attempted first degree murder.

"He finds that to be a suitable resolution. It reduces his exposure to prison, something that he was very, very keen on succeeding," says Defense Attorney Aaron Schenk.

McGeshick was automatically being charged as an adult because of the attempted murder charge, which carries with it a maximum 60 years in prison. But part of the deal included lowering that charge to attempted second degree intentional homicide, which cuts the penalty in half.

"In adult court you're facing with count one on the amended information potentially 30 years in prison, you understand?" asks Judge Leon Stenz.

"Yes, sir," says McGeshick.

"You also understand that once you're waived into adult court, you're waived forever," says Judge Stenz.

In exchange, McGeshick waived his right to go back to juvenile court and pleaded guilty to that charge, as well as felony false imprisonment.

"I judge you guilty of attempted second degree attempted homicide as a party to a crime as alleged in count one of the information, amended information. And I will accept the plea and judge you guilty of false imprisonment as a party to a crime," says Judge Stenz.

District Attorney Chuck Simono has said all along the State would offer the best deal to one person.

"There's a saying in law enforcement that there's one ticket for the bus and whoever gets the ticket first is getting on the bus. Meaning, whoever gives the information first gets that ride," says District Attorney Simono.

Eighteen-year-old Melvin Zarda took that ticket last week. He agreed to testify at all other co-defendant trials and sentencings in exchange for the attempted murder charge to be dropped. Instead he pleaded guilty to second degree reckless injury and false imprisonment.

McGeshick is scheduled for sentencing November 28th. Preston Krusensterna, another co-defendant in this case, is set for trial tomorrow morning. If Krusensterna goes through with it, Melvin Zarda will have to testify against him.

Story By: Lyndsey Stemm