Lily Burk's killer pleads guilty, gets life in prison

Charlie Samuel, the 50-year-old transient who kidnapped and killed Lily Burk in July 2009, will escape a possible death penalty by pleading today to first-degree murder, carjacking and other crimes. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Burk, who was 17, was found dead in her car in Downtown after being forced by Samuel to drive through the city and attempt to withdraw money for an ATM. Samuel was arrested within hours of the killing for drinking in public. At today's hearing, Samuel said he hoped Burk's family would forgive him. "I'd like to deeply, truly apologize to the family for the grief I've caused," he said. "I pray to God that you may forgive me one day." LAT, LA Weekly