Suspect pleads in rape, killing

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) -- One of two men charged in a dormitory attack that killed a Western Kentucky University freshman pleaded guilty to murder, rape and arson, and agreed to testify against his co-defendant.
Stephen Soules' plea deal Tuesday spares him a possible death sentence. The 21-year-old will instead get life in prison without parole, a sentence to run concurrently with life sentences on five other charges and 20 years for robbery.
The plea also requires him to testify against Lucas Goodrum, 22, who has pleaded innocent to charges that could bring the death penalty if he is convicted. Goodrum remains jailed without bond.
Soules and Goodrum, both of Scottsville, were charged with killing and raping Katie Autry, a freshman from Pellville.
Autry, 18, was found in her smoldering dormitory room May 4. She had been beaten, stabbed and burned, and died three days later at a hospital.
"I don't know how to tell you how it felt when he admitted what he'd done," said Autry's aunt, Virginia White. "He did it and he admits that he did it and he's ready to take responsibility for his action."