Teen pleads guilty in Wilmington musician’s murder

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A New Hanover County teen pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the death of a Wilmington musician.

Today was set aside for pre-trial motions with jury selection expected to begin on Tuesday.

Ben Privott. (Photo: Facebook/98.3 The Penguin)

Instead, Cory Sullivan pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the stabbing death of Ben Privott. In exchange, several charges, including breaking and entering and first-degree murder, were dropped.

On April 22, 2016, Sullivan was 15-years-old when Privott came upon him breaking into cars on Bracken Fern Drive. Court documents say Sullivan stabbed Privott with a “three and a half inch knife” and then stole a computer and money from him.

Privott was a well-known musician and realtor in Wilmington.

Sentencing for Sullivan is expected to get underway on Tuesday.