NORWICH – The Smithville man accused of stabbing and killing his co-worker pleaded guilty to the class B felony of manslaughter in the first degree on Monday in Chenango County Court.

On March 30, 2014, 30-year-old Kyle V. Whitfield was arrested for murder in the second degree, a class A-1 felony.

Whitfield allegedly had a physical altercation with his Raymond Corporation co-worker, 33-year-old James G. Button of Greene, which started inside Whitfield's Smithville residence and ended outside the home.

It is alleged on March 3, 2014 at approximately 3:20 p.m., outside Whitfield's 132 Loomis Lane residence in Smithville, Whitfield stabbed Button four times with a folding knife causing his death.

According to authorities, Whitfield's girlfriend called 911 to complain Button was trespassing before the alleged stabbing took place. New York State Police troopers did not say what the complaint or the fight was about.

When NYSP arrived at the residence, Button was pronounced dead at the scene.

Whitfield was remanded without bail to the Chenango County Correctional Facility by the Town of Smithville Court. He was held without bail until a Chenango County Court bail hearing, where he was remanded back to jail in lieu of $150,000 cash bail or a $300,000 property bond.

Whitfield was indicted for manslaughter in the first degree, a class B felony, on March 20, 2014.