BRENTWOOD, N.H. ¬­— A second man has admitted to his role in the killing of a 29-year-old Derry carpenter during a robbery gone awry.

Jordan Webster, 19, of 12 Chester Road, Derry, pleaded guilty yesterday to accomplice to second-degree murder in the killing of Jason Violette, who was shot to death inside his home.

Webster may receive a recommended 15- to 30-year sentence in exchange for his plea. He faced a potential life sentence had he been convicted by a jury.

Webster was among five men who plotted to steal drugs and money from Violette, 29, on Aug. 12, 2007, prosecutors said.

Webster's job was to search for drugs to steal inside Violette's home, where he lived with his parents at 207 Hampstead Road in Derry, according to Assistant Attorney General James Boffetti.

The man accused of shooting Violette, Christopher Gagne, 27, of Manchester, is scheduled for trial in December on a charge of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit burglary.

Superior Court Judge Kenneth McHugh quizzed Webster about waiving his constitutional rights before accepting the plea. Webster, dressed in orange jail garb, gave calm, measured responses to the judge throughout the hearing.

Violette believed someone was coming to his house to buy drugs before he was fatally shot, according to police affidavits.

Troy Whipple, 25, allegedly called Violette to set up the fake drug buy, but remained outside near the getaway car so he wouldn't be recognized, police said. The Manchester man allegedly bought marijuana from Violette in the past and chose him as the group's target.

Webster entered the home with Gagne and Andre Rivera, 20, of Derry, wearing bandannas and gloves. Gagne was armed with a semiautomatic Mac-11, police said.

"(Webster) admitted that his part was to search for drugs," Boffetti said. "He heard the gunfire that killed Violette and fled the home."

A friend who stopped by Violette's home about 10:30 p.m., found his body facedown in the kitchen minutes after the shooting and called 911. Violette died from a single gunshot to the chest.

Derry police were tipped four days after the killing that Webster, Gagne and Ryan Mead were involved, Boffetti said.

Mead, 19, of Derry, who provided his father's car for the robbery, waived indictment and pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to commit burglary. He is expected to testify against his codefendants as part of a plea agreement and serve seven and a half to 15 years in prison.

Rivera, who is Whipple's cousin, has indicated he may strike a plea agreement with prosecutors, according to court documents. Prosecutors said Rivera played a major role in planning the robbery with Whipple.

Gagne has indicated he might claim self-defense at his trial, court documents said. Court papers also said Violette was armed with a 9 mm handgun while the two men fought.