Guidry was headed to trial for the murder of a 45-year-old woman whose remains were found in a wooden box in Jefferson County.

BEAUMONT, Texas — A 44-year-old man accused of killing a woman whose remains were found in a wooden box had his murder charge dropped Wednesday when he pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence. 

Joseph Allen Guidry appeared before Judge John Stevens for a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday and gave an ‘open plea,’ which means there is no agreement about Guidry’s punishment. Tampering with evidence is a second degree felony. 

The remains of Orange County woman Melinda Gail Murray, 45, were found in a box in rural Jefferson  County in 2015. Guidry was previously indicted on both the murder and tampering charges. The date for Guidry’s sentencing has not been set.

Written by Raegan Gibson, KBMT (12NewsNow)