Surely, this represents a step forward in race relations and diversity. Clearly, WKU is a campus so united that students of different races even commit heinous crimes together. I bet the administration is proud. [/sarcasm]
Posted on 07/22/2003 7:51:33 AM PDT by bourbon
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Prosecutors said yesterday that they intend to seek the death penalty against two men accused of killing a Western Kentucky student who was set on fire in her dormitory room.
One of the defendants, Stephen B. Soules, pleaded not guilty yesterday in Warren County Circuit Court. At the arraignment, prosecutors filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty if Soules is convicted. The other defendant, Lucas B. Goodrum, is scheduled to be arraigned today.
Mike Pearson, an assistant Warren County commonwealth's attorney, said prosecutors also would seek the death penalty for Goodrum.
The two Scottsville men are charged in the death of Melissa ''Katie'' Autry, who was found beaten, stabbed and raped May 4.
Both are charged with murder, complicity to commit murder, first-degree rape, complicity to commit first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, complicity to commit first-degree sodomy and arson, and complicity to commit arson. Soules also is charged with robbery.
Pearson said in an interview that prosecutors decided it was ''appropriate'' to seek the death penalty against both defendants and that each case ''qualifies'' under Kentucky law.
The death penalty can be applied in murder cases when other, aggravating factors are included. In Soules' case, the aggravating factors are arson, rape, sodomy and robbery, Pearson said. The same aggravating factors — except for robbery — exist in Goodrum's case, he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at tennessean.com ...
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