Zachary's Law killer gets life sentence

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH/AP) - 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 24-Hour News 8 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.