Alabama man pleads guilty to ax murder of roommate, gets life in prison

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) -- A Huntsville man charged with killing his roommate with an ax pleaded guilty Monday to murder shortly before his murder trial was set to begin.

Randal Beard, 59, had been charged with capital murder, but entered a guilty plea to murder, said Madison County District Attorney's Office Chief Trial Attorney Tim Gann. Beard was given a life sentence.

Beard was arrested in June 2017 after a distress call was made by someone who'd been living in a house on Peel Street with Beard and his roommate.

When police arrived, Beard was loading his truck with items that belonged to his roommate, Robert Bezotte. Bezotte was found dead inside the house. The indictment against Beard said he killed Bezotte with a hatchet.

Gann said Bezotte was struck more than 40 times with the short-handled ax. Beard is also accused of trying to steal, guns, methadone and a safe from Bezotte.