EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A southern Indiana man previously
convicted of killing two women pleaded guilty unexpectedly Tuesday to
killing a third while jury selection was underway.
William Clyde
Gibson III, 56, of New Albany, pleaded guilty to murder in connection
with the strangulation death of Stephanie Kirk, 35, of Charlestown. Her
remains were found buried in the backyard of Gibson’s home in 2012.
The
plea waives Gibson’s right to a jury trial. Instead, Floyd Superior
Court Judge Susan Orth will decide Gibson’s sentence during a hearing
set to begin July 28 and expected to last three days.
Gibson was
sentenced to death last fall after being convicted of killing family
friend Christine Whitis, 75, of Clarksville, in 2012. He was sentenced
in April to 65 years in prison after agreeing to plead guilty in the
death of 45-year-old Karen Hodella of Port Orange, Florida.
The
discovery of Whitis’ remains by Gibson’s sisters on April 19, 2012, led
to the unearthing of Kirk’s remains eight days later.
A jury from
Evansville was to be brought to Floyd County, located across the Ohio
River from Louisville, Kentucky, for Gibson’s third trial. Tuesday was
the second day of jury selection.
Floyd County Prosecutor Keith
Henderson had no immediate comment on the guilty plea. He scheduled a
news conference for Wednesday.