Virginia White, aunt of Katie Autry, wipes away tears today as Stephen Soules pleads guilty to Autrys murder.

Autry killer pleads guilty

Soules avoids death penalty; second man charged in coeds slaying awaits trial

By Hayli Fellwock, hfellwock@bgdailynews.com — 270-783-3240 and Jason Dooley

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Stephen Soules, 21, of Scottsville, pleaded guilty this morning in Warren County Circuit Court to murder and other charges in the death of Western Kentucky University freshman Katie Autry. In the plea, Soules agreed to testify truthfully in the trial of Lucas Goodrum, 22, who was his co-defendant in the case. Prosecutors sought the death penalty against Soules and are seeking the same penalty against Goodrum. At his arraignment May 13, 2003, Soules originally pleaded not guilty. He will now serve six concurrent life sentences plus 20 years without the possibility of parole. Final sentencing is scheduled for September. I understand why the prosecution has reached a plea bargain, said Autrys aunt, Virginia White. (Soules) cant ever go out on the streets again. He cant ever hurt anyone else again. At least Stephen Soules admitted his guilt, which is more than I can say for the other party involved. Soules pleaded guilty to seven of the nine original charges: murder, first-degree rape, rape by complicity, first-degree sodomy, sodomy by complicity, arson by complicity and first-degree robbery. Charges of murder by complicity and first-degree arson were dismissed by the prosecution. Anytime there are two principal actors, you can sustain a straight murder sentence, said First Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Chris Cohron, explaining why he dropped the murder by complicity charge. As far as the arson, the facts warrant that Mr. Goodrum performed the arson, so thats why we gave (Soules) complicity. Soules and Goodrum were charged with raping and sodomizing Autry, 18, in her Hugh Poland Hall dorm room before setting fire to the room May 4. Autry suffered third- and fourth-degree burns, and died May 7 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, having been in a drug-induced coma three days. I have always been ready for justice, said White, who sat stone-faced in the courtroom this morning. Stephen Soules has to live the rest of his life with what he did and I hope its there every day and night. As Soules family members wiped away tears during this mornings proceedings, Special Judge Thomas Castlen asked Soules, Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?After a moments hesitation, Soules answered, Yes, sir. Defense attorney Renae Tuck of the Public Defenders Office said the plea agreement was unanimous. We recommended it, she said. Stephen and his family, we all came to this decision together. Cohron said plea agreement talks first began just after the trial dates were set by Castlen on March 15. I think that spurred Mr. Soules into facing his situation, he said. Goodrums attorney, David Broderick of Bowling Green, was in Louisville this morning and said he was unaware that Soules had intended to change his plea. Broderick said he will need to examine the plea agreement before he can assess the impact it will have on his clients case. Im sure its going to have an effect, but until I see the written plea and the videotape, I cant say exactly what it will be, he said. I will probably know more tomorrow. White said she did not notice the tears of Soules family members in court today. They will still be able to go to the penitentiary and see their son, but we cant see Katie anymore, she said, speaking on behalf of herself and Autrys mother, Donnie Autry, who was not present in court this morning. We deal with Katies death daily. On another front, Autrys family is suing other parties they feel played a part in her death. A lawsuit is pending in Warren Circuit Court against Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where Autry and the defendants attended a party, and some dorm employees, who were reportedly on duty the night of Autrys attack. Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700