BY STACI WILSON

The man admitted to murdering his brother at their Jessup Twp. home in November 2013 pleaded guilty Friday, Dec. 18 in the Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Forest Webster, 54, was immediately sentenced to serve six to 30 years in a state correctional facility. Webster shot his brother, John Webster, in the head with a 22-calibur rifle during an altercation.

District Attorney Jason Legg noted that mental illness, of both the victim and the perpetrator, played a role in the killing and was a mitigating factor in the sentencing agreement.

Since turning himself in after the shooting, Webster has undergone several mental health evaluations. Earlier this month he was found competent by the court to stand trial.

Legg said that Webster had been diagnosed with a schizophrenic disorder.

At the hearing, Webster spoke about his brother’s mental health issues and described him as “irrational.”

“Life was difficult for both of us,” he told the court.

Legg said that conversations with the family echoed Webster’s statements about his brother and noted the brothers’ “tumultuous” relationship.

The sentence, Legg said, would provide for a long period of supervision for Webster – up until he is 82 years of age.

In addition to handing down the six to 30 year sentence, Susquehanna County Senior Judge Kenneth Seamans ordered Webster to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any prescribed treatments, as well as to take any medications that may be prescribed to him.

Legg said the agreed upon sentence would act to both protect the interest of the court, as well as safeguard the community.