SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts teenager who accidentally shot and killed his 15-year-old girlfriend has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Eighteen-year-old Anthony Diaz, of Springfield, had originally been charged with second-degree murder in the April 2016 shooting death of Daneyshkalis "Daney" Davila, but reached a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to the lesser charge Monday.

The Republican newspaper (http://bit.ly/2rPBoj5 ) reports that the plea came seven weeks after a judge rejected the defense's argument that the murder charge was excessive and should be dismissed because the shooting was accidental.

The girl's brother told investigators that the then-17-year-old Diaz was spinning the chamber of a revolver when the cylinder snapped shut and the gun fired, striking the victim in the abdomen. Diaz was charged as a youthful offender.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.

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Information from: The Springfield (Mass.) Republican, http://www.masslive.com/news/

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