One of two southern New Mexico girls accused of killing their foster mother faces a murder trial now that a plea agreement has been scrapped.
Desiree Linares and fellow 16-year-old Alexis Shields are accused of smothering Evelyn Miranda in her San Patricio home in 2011 and of stealing her car, cellphone and computer.
The Alamogordo Daily News reports that Linares withdrew her no -contest plea to first-degree murder and multiple other charges.
The plea agreement called for her to be held as a juvenile under age 21.
Deputy District Attorney James Dickens says the agreement couldn't stand under state law because a first-degree murder conviction requires adult sanctions.
Dickens says there was a misunderstanding by both sides, but defense attorney Jesse Cosby says the prosecution misled the defense.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.