A plea bargain may be struck in the case against Newton 19-year-old Wyatt A. Franklin, according to records filed Monday in Jasper County District Court.

During a pretrial conference at the Jasper County Courthouse, Franklin and his legal counsel met with the Jasper County Attorney’s Office before a judge and scheduled the plea hearing for 1:30 p.m. May 21. Franklin is charged with involuntary manslaughter for the Nov. 12 death of 19-year-old Shasta Sapp of Mingo.

Jasper County Attorney Mike Jacobson was cautious this morning, saying that he still can’t predict if Franklin will actually plead guilty, but he did indicate that Franklin’s attorney said the defendant will make a plea at the May 21 hearing. Jacobson said he could not comment on whether the state is prepared to make Franklin an offer of a lesser charge. The plea hearing will be held in open court.