Defendant Charged in Fatal Beating in St. Paul is Released

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ One of three defendants charged with fatally beating a St. Paul woman last year has been ordered to be released.

Perrin Cooper Jr. reached a deal with prosecutors in exchange for his testimony against the two others charged in the death of 79-year-old Myong ``Susie'' Gossel. She was killed in her St. Paul home in January of last year. Authorities say the three men planned to rob Gossel.

Cooper pleaded guilty to felony robbery in exchange for his cooperation. Reports say a Ramsey County judge Wednesday ordered his release after a prosecutor said Cooper's testimony was invaluable.

Kevin Reek was sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of first-degree murder. Richard Joles pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated robbery and will be sentenced next month.