September 30, 2005

Man pleads guilty to killing disgraced priest

LEXINGTON (KY)
Beacon Journal

Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. - An Ohio man has pleaded guilty to killing a former Lexington priest who was convicted of sexual abuse.

Prosecutors said Jason Anthony Russell, 28, killed Joseph Pilger, 78, after he found the retired priest masturbating while looking at a photograph of Russell's 6-year-old son.

Russell, of Ironton, Ohio, pleaded guilty to murder, burglary and theft by unlawful taking on Thursday. Prosecutors recommended he serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Russell is scheduled to be sentenced by Fayette Circuit Judge Gary Payne next month.

Posted by kshaw at September 30, 2005 08:27 AM