Seventh appeal for Goodrum bond fails

Defense argues for release based on DNA test results

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Special Circuit Judge Thomas Castlen of Daviess County denied the seventh bond request for Lucas Goodrum, the 23-year-old Scottsville man accused in the May 2003 slaying of 18-year-old Western Kentucky University freshman Katie Autry, in a hearing Monday.

Goodrums defense attorney, David Broderick, has filed previous unsuccessful bond motions in Warren Circuit and District courts, and in February appealed Senior Judge Joseph Huddlestons order denying bond the second time such a request was denied in Warren Circuit Court.

The Court of Appeals upheld Huddlestons ruling.

Brodericks latest request was based on the results of recent DNA testing of hairs found at Goodrums Scottsville apartment and at the crime scene, Room 214 of WKUs Hugh Poland Hall.

The test results excluded Goodrum as a possible contributor of the hairs found at the crime scene and excluded Autry as a possible contributor of hair in Goodrums apartment.

Kevin Hackworth, assistant defense attorney, argued Monday afternoon that the test results brought a substantial change in the case, as it was prosecutors last attempt to obtain physical evidence linking Goodrum to the crime.

The presumption of Mr. Goodrums guilt in this case is not great and he is entitled to pretrial release, Hackworth said.

Warren County Commonwealths Attorney Mike Pearson argued that the lack of physical evidence could be due to the fact that Autry was burned after she was raped and beaten.

It was a fire to the extent that it is not surprising that forensics do not show up, Pearson said. The bottom line is, while we now have no more evidence than the last time the court considered bond, we certainly have no less. I see nothing that would change the courts opinion.

Castlen then denied the motion for bond, agreeing with Pearson that there has been no significant change in circumstances.

Autry was beaten, raped, stabbed and set on fire in her Hugh Poland Hall dorm room May 4, 2003. She died three days later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville of third- and fourth-degree burns.

Stephen Soules, 21, of Scottsville was also charged in the case and pleaded guilty in May.

In exchange for pleading guilty to murder, first-degree rape, rape by complicity, first-degree sodomy, sodomy by complicity, arson by complicity and first-degree robbery, Soules was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

He will testify as a witness for the prosecution in Goodrums March 1 trial. Prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty.

Thus far, evidence against Goodrum includes Soules testimony and that of three former Warren County Regional Jail inmates Terry Campbell, Micah West and Richard Mealer. The three came forward separately claiming Goodrum talked openly of his involvement in the crime during one-on-one conversations in the jail.

All three received lesser sentences upon disclosing their information.

In court Monday, Hackworth argued that Mealer appears to suffer from mental illness.

Castlen granted the defenses motion requesting copies of Mealers medical records from LifeSkills Inc., the U.S. Social Security Administration and Potter Childrens Home.

Goodrums mother, Donna Dugas of Aubrey, Texas, said she thought Castlen ruled fairly, but expressed disappointment that her son will remain in Warren County Regional Jail. As was the case at the last bond hearing in Warren Circuit Court, Dugas was prepared to post a $1 million cash bond for her son Monday afternoon.

Wearing a green button promoting the familys Web site, LucasIsInnocent.com, Dugas explained that her son has spent two birthdays and two Thanksgivings in jail and is now approaching his second Christmas in jail.

It hurts him inside, she said.

The Autry family is also missing their loved one this holiday season, said Virginia White of Butler County, Autrys aunt.

Katies younger sister, Lisa Autry, celebrated her 19th birthday the day after Thanksgiving her second birthday without Katie.

Its hard for her all the time, but some days are especially hard and what do you say? White said, her voice cracking with emotion. I cant fix that.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700