By Kevin Willis/AP
Bowling Green, KY – The trial for a man accused of raping and killing a
Western Kentucky University student has been delayed
until spring of 2005. Lucas Goodrum had been scheduled
to face a jury starting July 30th. Special Judge
Thomas Castlen of Daviess County has granted a
prosecution request to delay the trial until March 8th.
Prosecutors sought to hold off the trial while D-N-A tests
are conducted on hair samples taken from Goodrum.
Castlen ruled that defense experts could examine the
hair samples before they are sent to Dallas for testing.
The 22 year old Scottsville man faces a possible death
sentence if he is convicted of murdering 18 year old
Katie Autry. Prosecutors says Goodrum and 21 year old
Stephen Soules raped Autry and set her dorm room on
fire in May of 2003.
Soules pleaded guilty in March. Autry died three days
after the attack.