ZACHARY SNIDER (Zachary's Law) - 10 yo (1993) -Indianapolis IN

The murderer who prompted lawmakers to create the state's sex
offender registry will soon leave death row. That's because attorneys
have reached an agreement to allow Zachary Snider's killer to spend the
rest of his life in prison instead. If you look up the state's
online sex offender registry you'll see the words "Zachary's Law" in
the corner. The case that prompted that law has taken a new turn. Former
Indiana State Police Detective Dick Rice showed where,
16 years ago, he found something he was looking for, something he'll
never forget. "We came down here and, just as soon as we got out
of the car, there was no question about it. There was this...the stench
was terrible. And it was this bridge right here that we're crossing
over," recalled Rice. Rice had gotten a tip that he'd find Zachary Snider’s body under the bridge.

The
10-year-old boy had been missing a week. Convicted child molester
Christopher Stevens later admitted to molesting Zachary, strangling him
and dumping his body in the creek. In 1995, a jury sentenced Stevens to death. That sentence was overturned by a higher court 12 years later.

Prosecutors
were ready to push for the death sentence at a new trial next February
when Zachary's parents said, "Enough." Putnam County Prosecutor Tim
Bookwalter said Zachary's parents wanted peace. "They wanted this over with and they wanted to know that Chris Stevens would never be free a day in his life," he said. The
two knew another death penalty trial could mean more years of waiting.
So they asked Prosecutor Bookwalter to drop the death penalty request
and, instead, ask for life in prison without parole.

Bookwalter said he would honor their request.

The man who discovered Zachary's body said he understands. "They've
been living with this for 15 years and it probably would have been
another 15 or longer. So, I can understand their concerns about this,"
he said. That being said, both Dick Rice and Tim Bookwalter said
they thought they could have gotten the death penalty for Christopher
Stevens a second time.

Prosecutor Bookwalter said a judge
will formally sentence Stevens November 23. As part of the sentencing
agreement, he's giving up his right to further appeals.