A Vermont man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing his 12-year-old niece, avoiding a federal death penalty trial.
Michael Jacques of Randolph entered the plea Tuesday. As part of an agreement with federal prosecutors, he will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors had been planning to seek the death penalty against the 47-year-old Jacques on charges of kidnapping with death resulting.
Brooke Bennett disappeared in June 2008. Her body was found about a week later not far from Jacques' home.
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