Testimony emotional from both sides in hearing for man who killed Katie Autry

Friday, May 13, 2005

By killing my sister, you have affected your life, but you have also affected mine, Lisa Autry, 19, said in Warren Circuit Court on Thursday during a sentencing hearing for the man who killed her sister.

Scottsville native Stephen Soules, 22, received life in prison without parole after apologizing to the family of Melissa Katie Autry, for her death resulting from her being beaten, raped, sodomized and set on fire in her Hugh Poland Hall dorm room on May 4, 2003.

Soules pleaded guilty in the case more than a year ago to seven of his original charges: murder, first-degree rape, rape by complicity, first-degree sodomy, sodomy by complicity, arson by complicity and first-degree robbery.

Thursdays court proceeding marked exactly two years since the Autry family buried the 18-year-old girl from Pellville who dreamed of one day becoming a dental hygienist and raising a family.

My sister cannot be there for me on my wedding day or see my future kids grow up, Lisa Autry said to Soules. That was my only dream as a kid to have my big sister by my side. Because of your cowardice, my dreams were shattered. … I hope you rot in prison.

Soules and his family asked Special Judge Thomas Castlen on Thursday to consider allowing the possibility of parole after 25 years, a request backed up by several letters from Soules friends and family members.

Castlen instead upheld the recommendation of Warren County Commonwealths Attorney Chris Cohron for life without parole.

Ive perused the numerous letters from family members and friends, Castlen said. One person we havent heard from is Katie Autry. Her lips are sealed and, Mr. Soules, you saw to that.

Soules speech before the court was full of apologies.

Im sorry to Ms. Autry for what I did that night and Im sorry for every tear that theyve cried over Katie, he said, looking toward Lisa Autry, seated across the room with her aunt, Virginia White, and cousin, Barbie White. I hope someday they can forgive me for my involvement in the case.

Virginia White, who attended nearly every court proceeding in the case, took time to speak with Soules for an hour Tuesday evening in Warren County Regional Jail.

Its not in our hearts to forgive him maybe some day, but not right now, White said. I got to talk to him for an hour and I dont see him as the leader. I wanted to talk to him face-to-face so I could see his face and his eyes. He does what hes told to do. In talking about different things, if I heard him say, I did what they told me to once, I heard him say it a hundred times. I dont believe for a minute he pulled it off by himself.

Shortly before his arrest in May 2003, Soules told police Lucas Goodrum, 23, of Scottsville, was also involved in Autrys murder. Goodrum was acquitted of murder and other charges in Daviess Circuit Court on March 21.

During that trial, Goodrums defense attorney, David Broderick, presented testimony from Soules former cellmate, Gerald Elvis Brown, who said Soules told him it was not Goodrum, but another man in Autrys dorm room the night of the murder.

Soules father, Daniel Soules, said he was not surprised that the familys request was denied in court, but he agreed with Whites feeling that his son was not alone.

I know what I wanted, but with looking at the severity of everything, Im really not surprised, he said. I really feel deep in my heart that Stephen was not alone in that room and the true murderer is out there walking around right now. Stephen is definitely not a leader in a situation like this. He wasnt raised like that he usually stopped stuff like that. I dont understand how he could allow that to go on. I can only think about it Stephen has to live with it. Looking at it from that perspective, thats his cross to bear.

When speaking before the court Thursday, Daniel Soules also expressed sympathy for Autrys relatives.

Im sitting here begging for my sons life, but life in the penitentiary, I still get to see him and talk to him, he said. They dont have that and that hurts me. I see in your faces I see your hurt and your pain. My prayers will always be with you. Katies resting with God right now and she thinks of you as much as you think of her. As long as shes in your hearts, shes not gone.

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