SCOTT COUNTY MAN COPS PLEA IN MURDER

BENTON, Mo. -- Through tears and trembling, 32-year-old Charles "Scott" Biggs pleaded guilty Thursday in circuit court to killing his 57-year-old lover last summer.

For his guilty plea, the Missouri attorney general's prosecutor agreed to charge Biggs with second-degree murder instead of first-degree murder in the death of Willie Mae Vasquez of Scott City, Mo.

The plea agreement is conditional, anticipating Biggs' cooperation in prosecuting and convicting his cousin, Gary Wayne Biggs, in the killing, said Richard Hicks, assistant attorney general.

Gary Biggs' trial for first-degree murder will take place in Pulaski County at the end of October.

Vasquez's body was discovered Aug. 9 after Biggs came to the Scott City Police Department at an investigator's request and gave details of the killing.

Regardless of Scott Biggs' cooperation, Hicks said he would recommend a sentence of life in prison.

"He got his break when we went from first-degree to second-degree murder," Hicks said.

Punishment for second-degree murder ranges from 10 to 30 years or life in prison. First-degree murder may be punished by the death penalty.

Aug. 23 sentencing

Scott Biggs will be sentenced by Scott County Judge David Dolan on Aug. 23.

When investigators from the Wolsey Investigative Service and Scott County Sheriff's Department originally sought to interview Scott Biggs about Vasquez's disappearance July 26, they were only seeking to determine if he could assist in locating Vasquez, Hicks said.

However, at the Aug. 9 interview Scott Biggs began to cry, give details about how Vasquez was killed and said he wished he was dead, the attorney said.

Scott Biggs initially told authorities he had brought Vasquez to fish on the Mississippi River when his cousin suddenly attacked her. He later changed his story, explaining how he and Gary Biggs planned to bring her to the river to kill her, Hicks said.

Before pleading guilty, Scott Biggs spoke with his sister, a cousin and other relatives in court. He told them he wasn't sure how long he could survive in prison.

Scott Biggs takes prescription medication to prevent seizures, and jailers noted how the 130-pound man lost weight since he has been in jail.

Susan Steele, Vasquez's daughter, was also in court Thursday. She had no sympathy for Scott Biggs.

"He should have thought about what he was doing before he killed my mother," Steele said.