Man pleads to manslaughter in death of acquaintance buried in yard

LUMBERTON, N.J. -- A man has pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge in the beating death of an acquaintance whose body was buried in the backyard of the New Jersey home he shared with his father and a brother who was acquitted of murder in the case.

Twenty-six-year-old Bryan Costello pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in an agreement under which Burlington County prosecutors are to recommend a 15-year term.

Costello was charged in the October 2016 death of 23-year-old Justin Dubois, who was buried next to a backyard swimming pool at the Lumberton home.

Jurors last month acquitted 29-year-old Christopher Costello of murder but convicted him of hindering apprehension and desecration of remains. The panel deadlocked on an aggravated manslaughter charge, and a retrial is scheduled to begin in July.

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