Lawyer: Pizzeria manager 'at peace' with plea in boys' kidnapping case

UNION, Missouri (AP) -- The former pizza parlor manager accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting two boys is pleading guilty in the case because he wants to spare his family and those of his victims any further pain, his defense attorney said.

Michael Devlin was expected to enter a plea on Monday in Franklin County Circuit Court, the first in a series of hearings this week in four jurisdictions where he faces more than 80 counts.

Devlin will plead guilty to kidnapping and sexual abuse charges, a prosecutor and a relative of one of the boys said Friday.

"This is a great day," said Loyd Bailie, uncle of 13-year-old William "Ben" Ownby. "Just knowing that Ben is not going to have to relive all this through the court system -- this is cloud nine."

Devlin was said to be "at peace" about pleading to the charges. One of his attorneys, Michael Kielty, said Devlin wants to spare his family and his longtime captive, Shawn Hornbeck, the anguish of a trial.

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http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/08/boysfound.devlin.ap/index.html