BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Capital murder suspect James Morgan Dorriety pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his mother in law Aug. 3, 2008, and will serve a life sentence without parole, according to a plea agreement early Monday before Circuit Judge James Reid.

According to the agreement, charges of attempted murder and discharging a gun were severed from the agreement and will be dealt with at a later date. Also, defense attorney James Scroggins stipulated no pleas or evidence against the capital charge will be presented at the trial.

The court recessed briefly before picking jurors who must determine guilt. District Attorney Judy Newcomb said the plea will be presented to jurors as evidence.

Newcomb said she would address the severed cases later.

Dorriety, 37, allegedly used a high-power rifle to kill Kathy Lee Allison, 53, in the Lottie community, then hitched a ride to a convenience store to call 911 and turn himself in.