MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The man accused in the beating death of his paternal grandson’s mother and then leaving her body in the trunk of her car earlier this year agreed to a plea bargain Tuesday.
Gary Smith, 60, of Morgantown, entered an Alford plea to first degree murder in the death of Alexa Randolph, 32, also of Morgantown.
An Alford plea means a defendant maintains their innocence while admitting the prosecution has enough evidence to convict them.
Randolph was reported missing to the Morgantown Police Department after not picking up her son on Jan. 28.
By using cell phone data, detectives determined Randolph had very recently been at the Smith’s residence. Smith immediately became a person of interest after the first interview, according to detectives.
On Jan. 29, pings from Randolph’s cell phone led police to the Walmart on Hornbeck Road where her body was found in the cargo area of her Ford SUV. Police also recovered surveillance video from the Walmart showing a subject fitting the description of Smith leaving the parking lot on foot.
An autopsy determined Randolph died of asphyxia and blunt force trauma. Consistent with the large amount of blood evidence found in Smith’s garage. The autopsy also determined Smith’s DNA was under the victim’s fingernails, signifying a struggle.
Smith became emotional at times during Tuesday’s hearing before Monongalia County Circuit Judge Susan Tucker. He appeared by video while Randolph’s friends and family members looked on.
Smith will be sentenced on Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. The plea bargain will allow Smith to have a chance for parole after 15 years behind bars.