In exchange for pleading guilty to two counts of felony murder in the Frederick and Yong-Suk Walker case, and pleading guilty to kidnapping with bodily injuries in the David Holt case, David Joseph Easterling agreed to testify against his former co-defendants in both cases. SPECIAL

The plea agreement spares David Joseph Easterling, 30, from facing a death-penalty trial that was to begin Monday in Columbia County Superior Court.

The plea also saves him from facing trial in Richmond County Superior Court for the armed robbery and kidnapping of Mr. Holt, and any future death-penalty trial in Aiken County, where the Sam's Club manager was burned alive the night of the store's robbery, June 21, 1998.

Mr. Easterling agreed to testify against his co-defendants in both cases - Jimmy Lee Rhodes, 44, and Dag L. Rhodes, 23, who still face death-penalty trials in the robbery and slayings of Frederick and Yong-Suk Walker on Feb. 2, 1998; and Ronald Coleman Jr., 28, and Carlston W. Coleman Jr., 30, in the Holt case.

In exchange, Mr. Easterling received two consecutive life sentences to be served with the possibility of parole, and the assurance he will not face a death-penalty trial in Aiken County or any additional prison time in Mr. Holt's homicide, said defense attorney Pete Theodocion.

Mr. Easterling gave statements to various law enforcement officers, saying he drove Jimmy Rhodes and his nephew Dag Rhodes to the Walkers' home in Evans, knowing they intended to rob the couple. Mr. Easterling also gave statements that he drove the Colemans to Sam's Club five months later, knowing they intended to commit a crime.

In Georgia, if a person knowingly takes part in a crime, such as robbery or burglary, and his accomplices commit murder, he can also be convicted of murder.

Trial dates have not been set for either Jimmy Rhodes or Dag Rhodes in Columbia County Superior Court.

The Colemans, who were indicted with Mr. Easterling in Richmond County in January, face an April 23 trial date. Ronald Coleman's attorney has filed a speedy trial demand, which means he must be afforded a trial by May or the charges must be dismissed.

According to court documents and testimony given in pretrial hearings, Mr. Holt, 45, locked up the Sam's Club on Bobby Jones Expressway at 12:05 a.m. June 21, 1998, and set the alarm. At 1:28 a.m., his personal security code was used to reopen the store. Approximately $64,000 in cash was taken from the store's safe.

About 3 a.m., a car fire was discovered on Sand Pit Road in North Augusta. Mr. Holt's body was found in the trunk, and autopsy reports revealed he was still alive when the car was torched.

Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226.