Man pleads no contest to murder charge

MARQUETTE — An Ishpeming man charged with open murder has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder.

Derek Blemke, 24, entered his plea Tuesday in Marquette County Circuit Court. Blemke was arrested June 24th, 2016, after he stabbed and killed Brandon LaFavre, 21, of Marquette.

The autopsy report showed Blemke stabbed LaFavre a total of 24 times inside an apartment on the 200 block of Wright Street in Marquette. LaFavre died at the scene.

Blemke will be sentenced October 16th.