ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis man appeared in court on Monday and admitted killing a rehabber last year over a debt related to tuckpointing work.

Prosecutors with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office said Desante A. White, 29, fatally shot Timothy Moore on Sept. 19, 2023, in the 2700 block of Miami Street in the city’s Gravois Park neighborhood.

White told the court he shot Moore during a confrontation over unpaid tuckpointing work that White had done for Moore. White said he shot Moore twice after Moore tried to take White’s keys.

Moore was 32.

White had been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He was scheduled to go to trial this week. However, he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

White pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Prior to sentencing, White apologized to Moore’s family in court and said he didn’t intend to kill anyone, adding that “things got heated real quick.”

The circuit court judge overseeing the case sentenced White to 18 years in state prison. White will receive credit for serving more than a year of jail time.