VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The man accused of abducting and killing Marie Covington, a Virginia Beach woman, has pleaded guilty to concealing her dead body. Gary Morton entered the plea on Tuesday and opted for a bench trial instead of a jury trial.

During the court proceedings, two of Covington’s daughters, as well as detectives involved in the case, testified. Additionally, a Norfolk man came forward to claim that Morton had shot at his car on the same night Covington went missing.

Along with concealing a dead body, Morton also faces charges of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in a felony, attempted malicious wounding, shooting at an occupied vehicle, and abduction with force, threat, or intimidation.

If convicted of concealing a dead body, Morton could face up to five years in prison for the felony charge alone.

Covington was abducted and killed in August of this year, according to the police. Her body was discovered on Galt Street in Norfolk’s Olde Huntersville area. The medical examiner determined that she died from a gunshot wound to the head. At the time of her disappearance, Covington was in a relationship with Morton.

This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.