[10/24/02]A Georgia man charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Vicksburg resident has pleaded guilty and been given a life sentence without parole.

Jimmy L. Scott, 58, was a retired technician with the Waterways Experiment Station. After he retired for health reasons about 15 years ago, Scott began traveling and had struck up friendships with people in Asheville, N.C., where he would go several times a year.

Sheriff Bobby Medford of Buncombe County said Scott was reported missing Aug. 29 by the friends he had been visiting.

The subsequent investigation led to the Sept. 8 arrest of Christopher Lael Pittard, 25, Brunswick, Ga., at an Asheville bar. Pittard led investigators to Scott’s body. Investigators also recovered Scott’s pickup, Airstream trailer and other property.

Kathryn Osborn, a friend of Scott’s who lives in Vicksburg, said his Asheville friends related some of the activities surrounding Pittard’s guilty plea.

“He went before the grand jury,” she said, adding she understood the action resulted in Pittard having the choice of a jury trial or pleading guilty.

“He chose not to go before a jury to avoid the death penalty,” Osborn said.

Prosecutors said Scott was shot four times in the head.

Scott’s body was returned to Vicksburg and he was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery Sept. 15.