By Matt Sepic, KWMU
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwmu/local-kwmu-637082.mp3
St. Louis, MO. – Michael Devlin pleaded guilty Monday in Franklin County to charges that he kidnapped 13-year-old Ben Ownby.
After making sure the former restaurant manager knew his rights, Judge Stanley Williams sentenced Devlin to life in prison for child kidnapping, and an extra 20 years for using a gun to do it.
After the hearing, Devlin's attorney Michael Kielty said Devlin changed his plea because he wanted to spare his family and his victims from the publicity of a trial. But Kielty also said a trial would have been pointless.
"The facts are absolutely overwhelming. Nothing good could have come out of a trial," Kielty said. "Be it one trial or four trials, it is our professional opinion that nobody could beat the deal that we've worked out."
Devlin is also accused of kidnapping and sexually abusing Shawn Hornbeck.
As part of the plea deal, Devlin will plead guilty Tuesday in Washington and St. Louis Counties.
He's scheduled to answer federal charges on Wednesday.