Child killer admits guilt, cuts deal sparing him from death penalty

Richard Mathew Clark, who kidnapped, raped and murdered a 7-year-old Everett girl in 1995, will serve the rest of his life in prison after reaching an agreement with Snohomish County prosecutors Friday.

Clark, 37, appeared in a Snohomish County courtroom and gave a detailed statement . His admission of murdering Roxanne Doll came on the anniversary of her death 11 years ago.

As part of the hearing, prosecutors agreed to withdraw their attempts to have Clark executed for his crimes. Judge Thomas Wynne sentenced Clark to a mandatory term of life in prison without any possibility of release. Under the deal, Clark waived all appeals and acknowledged that he will live out his days behind bars.

Clark said he took Roxanne from her south Everett home on March 31, 1995. Clark in 1997 was convicted of the murder and sentenced to die. The state Supreme Court in 2001 ruled that a portion of Clark’s trial was flawed. The high court let stand Clark’s aggravated murder conviction, but threw out a jury verdict that Clark should die.

Clark was scheduled to face a second trial to determine his sentence, starting April 11.

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