James Smith Jr.

Syracuse, NY -- Four Syracuse teens have pleaded guilty in a Dec. 12 home invasion that led to the shooting death of a 33-year-old man.

All four have agreed to cooperate against the others in the death of James Smith at 311 Merriman Ave.

But none of the four are actually accused of pulling the trigger. Alleged gunman Francis Mercado, 16, is still headed to trial.

Mercado apparently admitted to pulling the trigger in police interviews. But lawyers are still arguing over what can and can't be used at trial.

All four so far have pleaded guilty to burglary charges. They could have all been charged with murder because they played a role in the home invasion, but took reduced pleas in exchange for cooperating against the others, prosecutor Robert Moran said.

The four who have pleaded guilty so far are:

Quinton Gathings, 20, on March 29: 15-year prison sentence

Cameron Webster, 19, on March 29: 10-year prison sentence (Webster helped set up the burglary, but did not enter the residence himself)

Jonathan Mejia, now 16, on Aug. 15: 3 1/3 to 10-year prison sentence (Sentenced as a juvenile offender because he was under 16 years old at the time of the crime.)

Tyrone Byrd, 18, on Aug. 24: 15-year prison sentence.

The only other alleged accomplice who has not pleaded is Michael Smyre, who is also the oldest accused murderer at 25 years old.

Smyre and Mercado are each headed to trial. The other four have agreed to cooperate against them.

It has not been said what the burglars were looking for when they burst into the residence, moving from the lower apartment upstairs, where Smith lived.