PINE RIVER MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER

19-year old Matthew Michael Martin pleaded guilty this week for the murder of 15-year old Molly Jean Rice of Backus. Court documents say that Martin stabbed Rice in the head, then found a .22-caliber pistol and shot her in the early morning hours of August 4th. Her body was found four days later. The Lake Country Echo reported that Martin will be sentenced on March 21st. A first-degree murder charge can carry a penalty of life in prison.