ST. GEORGE, S.C. (AP) -- A South Carolina inmate serving two life sentences for separate murders in Oconee County has pleaded guilty to killing a fellow inmate, which could allow a judge to sentence him to death.
Kenneth Henry Justus on Thursday admitted stabbing 22-year-old Justin Bregenzer to death in 2005 at the Lieber prison in Ridgeville. Prosecutors then sought the death penalty.
Justus' plea means Judge Diane Goodstein will decide his fate. Her options are death or a third life sentence.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Friday the sentencing phase will begin Monday.
Bregenzer was initially sent to prison for breaking into a vehicle and later walked away from a trash detail. The James Island man had about two months remaining on his sentence for escape when he was killed.
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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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