MONROE — An 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Wednesday.

Oryan Reginald Hailey, of 3626 Continental Drive in Monroe, pleaded guilty to killing Martin Chavez Garcia, who was shot in his car during a robbery on Hudson Street in Monroe on Dec. 11, 2008. Hailey was charged with first-degree murder on Dec. 13, 2008. He was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison.

Hailey’s cousin, Khalil Basheid Hailey, 17, of 1914 Weddington Road, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Dec. 3, 2009, under the condition that he testify against Oryan Hailey.

In a signed statement, Khalil Hailey said he and Oryan Hailey ran to the car on Hudson Street and demanded Garcia give them his money. Khalil Hailey was trying to open the passenger door, he said, when he heard a gunshot and ran away from the car.

Oryan Hailey said later that he needed to throw away a gun, according to Khalil Hailey’s statement.

Members of Garcia’s family were in the courtroom Wednesday and some of their statements were read into the record. The statements said Garcia’s siblings missed their brother but were satisfied with the outcome and sentence.

“They were very gracious,” District Attorney John Snyder said Wednesday evening. “They felt like the justice system worked.”

According to court records, Oryan Hailey had been admitted to the Central Regional Hospital Raleigh Campus for an examination after he reportedly having auditory and visual hallucinations while in jail. Records showed a nurse gave him Thorazine, an antipsychotic drug. The results of the examination were sealed.

On Sept. 10, Hailey’s attorney, Wayne Covington, moved that any statements Hailey made to Monroe Detective Mark Greene could not be admitted because, he said, Green did not read Hailey his rights or allow an adult to be present during interviews while Hailey was still a minor.