1990 Labor Day murder suspect Devaughn pleads guilty

Michael Devaughn pleaded guilty to killing and raping two women on Labor Day in 1990.

Justice for two victims..

A murder happened in starkville 30 years ago and it captured national attention when police made an arrest 2 years ago.

Wtvas nicole dantzler is live with a closer look at the testimony in court.

Loved ones waited three decades to see a murder suspect sentenced for a crime.

Now they are breathing a sigh of relief after michael devaughn entered a plea for capital murder.

"so it's a great day, it's a great day."

Its the emotion many loved ones shared after michael devaughns plea hearing..

Julia holt is the granddaughter of kathryn criglerone of devaughns two victims..

He sexually assaulted the 81 year old on labor day in 1990.

"i got a call that this was the person who raped my granny.

She was my best friend i loved her."

Holt and another family member of betty jones took the stand to address devaughn in court.

3 decades ago,, devaughn admitted he entered criglers home and stabbed betty jones to death.

((sot)) "i never ever went back in the house.

I never wanted to go in the driveway, i never, nothing because that house had way too many memories and i never wanted to go in there again.

Julia holt-kathryn crigler's granddaughter after surviving the attack, kathryn crigler later died.

"honestly i don't forgive him."

Da scott colom ((sot)) "often times cases like this that become old-cold so to speak- can fall through the cracks.

So many good people continued to work on this and never let it go."

David lindley-former starkville police captain david lindley is a former captain of the starkville police department.

Investigators worked the case for years without making an arrest.

"we finally worked around that and we were able to keep it open."

Bud maxey- former starkville police chief the case appeared on the first 48, americas most wanted and talked about on a podcast.

The break came in 2018 when devaughn was arrested in another case... and required extensive dna testing.

"there's no way he didn't tell a single soul.

Somebody must know something."

Michael devaughn will serve life without parole michael devaughn will serve life without parole for the capital murder charge.

The judge dismissed the sexual battery charge.

Live in starkville nicole dantzler wtva nine news.

Still ahead on wtva nine news at ten,