The Associated Press

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The trial for a man accused of raping and killing a Western Kentucky University student has been delayed until spring 2005.

Lucas Goodrum had been scheduled to face a jury starting July 30. Daviess Circuit Court Judge Thomas Castlen granted a prosecution request Thursday to delay the trial until March 8.

Prosecutors sought to hold off the trial while DNA tests are conducted on hair samples taken from Goodrum.

The Scottsville man faces a possible death sentence if he is convicted of murdering 18-year-old Katie Autry. Prosecutors say Goodrum and 21-year-old Stephen Soules raped and beat Autry and set her dorm room on fire in May 2003.

The 18-year-old Autry, of Pellville, died three days after the attack.

"I trust the judge's decision and my son is innocent. I'm not a judge, I'm Lucas' mother and I'm here to let you know I love him and we love him 100 percent," Goodrum's mother, Donna Dugas, said Thursday.

Autry's family also approved of the delay.

"They need their time to have the DNA tested and I understand that," said Autry's aunt, Virginia White.

Castlen also said he would schedule another bond hearing for Goodrum within two weeks. Goodrum has been in jail without bond since being arrested shortly after the fire.