Man charged with killing woman in Ohio pleads to some counts

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — A Kentucky man charged in the slaying of an 87-year-old woman found in the trunk of her car in southwest Ohio has pleaded guilty to lesser charges – but a jury will still decide the murder charge and whether he should get the death penalty.

Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser says the Berea, Kentucky, man pleaded guilty today to aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse in the slaying of Barbara Howe of Monroe.

Gmoser says French is still set for trial next week on the aggravated-murder charge. French had offered to plead to all charges with the promise of life without parole instead of the death penalty, but Gmoser rejected that offer.