Bessemer man says he will plead guilty to capital murder in death of Shelby County girl

A 24-year-old Bessemer man will plead guilty to capital murder for the 2009 slaying of a 15-month-old Shelby County girl, court records show.

James Wesley Howard

James Wesley Howard intends to plead guilty to causing the death of Kara Nicole Lee, who died four days after being flown to Children's Hospital, according to a document filed in Shelby County Circuit Court.
Howard is scheduled to appear in court on April 16 before Shelby County Circuit Judge Dan Reeves.
He will plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life without parole, court record show. Howard could receive life without parole or the death penalty if he goes to trial and is convicted of the capital murder of child under the age of 14.
Howard is accused of intentionally causing Kara's death by using his hand or fist, according to an arrest warrant.
Authorities say the girl had numerous injuries to her body.
Howard lived with the child and her 19-year-old mother near Lay Lake, authorities said.
He has been in the Shelby County Jail under no bond since his arrest five days after Kara died.