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Updated: 9:12 PM Mar 11, 2010
Guilty Plea in South Charleston Murder Case
Farley Rhodes pleaded guilty to first degree murder Thursday in the death of Starlena "Star" Pratt.
Posted: 9:24 AM Mar 11, 2010Reporter: Anna Baxter Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com |
(WSAZ Photo)
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9 Comments 
UPDATE @ 10:40am
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Farley Rhodes pleaded guilty to first degree murder Thursday in the death of Starlena "Star" Pratt.
The alleged crime happened back in August 2008.
Police say Rhodes set Starlena on fire after an argument at their home in South Charleston. Starlena was in a coma for a month before she died at a local hospital.
Starlena's family is at the plea hearing along with some of her friends.
During Thursday's hearing, Rhodes explained to the judge how he doused Starlena with lighter fluid and lit a match. Rhodes says Starlena told him to stop when she was in flames. That's when Rhodes told the judge he panicked she was on fire and pushed her outside.
We have a crew inside the courtroom. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the very latest information.
ORIGINAL STORY
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A man charged with setting his girlfriend on fire at their home in South Charleston is expected to plead guilty to the crime on Thursday.
The alleged crime happened back in August 2008.
According to court documents, Farley Rhodes is scheduled for a plea hearing at 9:30 a.m. at the Kanawha County Courthouse.
Police say Rhodes started the fire after an argument with Starlena "Star" Pratt. At the time, Pratt's family told WSAZ.com the couple had a history of domestic violence.
Pratt was in a coma for a month before she died at a local hospital.
Rhodes' trial has been postponed several times. In fact, last week it was postponed again when the prosecution and defense told the judge they just received his mental evaluation, but they didn't have time to review it.
His trial was reset for May 17.
Rhodes is facing arson and murder charges.
We will have a crew at the hearing. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the very latest information.
Latest Comments
Whatever: are you just an absolute moron, or what? Who cares if she left the scum and went back to him 1000 times?! It DOES NOT justify what he did. He is an evil, violent creep who does not deserve to live off the WV taxpayers for the rest of his days in prison.
All i can keep hearing is she was leaving him . well she left him probley 50 times with in 4 months i would say . so leaving him is just another line of her familys bull. It was her choice to go back every time. And her family is so ANTI- DOMESTIC ??? PLEASE !!! Her brother was charged with domestic right after this incident against his ex girlfriend and babys mother.
Robin Hood, you are a true citizen. Your idea is the perfect one. The murderer deserves no less. It would be true justice and I suspect, stop others from doing this in the future. If only our legislature, governor, and U. S. Supreme Court felt the same way, we'd have a lot less murders in our country. Again, i ask, why doesn't West Virginia have the death penalty?
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