Elizabeth Keating, accused of attempted murder in a January office shooting, pleaded guilty to that charge in court this morning.

Tuesday, June 26, 2001

Elizabeth Keating, accused of attempted murder in a January office shooting, pleaded guilty to that charge in court this morning.

Mrs. Keating also pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft relating to Ironton Band Boosters’ money.

In a prepared statement, Mrs. Keating said, "Although I could plead innocent by reason of insanity, I am changing my plea to guilty as I feel I should be held responsible for my actions that day."

A trial had been expected in July before visiting Judge Everett Burton, who also heard this morning’s plea.

Mrs. Keating will be sentenced as soon as a pre-sentence investigation is finished, the judge said.

On the attempted murder charge, Mrs. Keating faces a mandatory three years in prison because she used a gun, and a maximum of 10 more years.

Earlier this year, Mrs. Keating entered pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of attempted murder, with which she was charged after she allegedly fired a gun Jan. 2 at her American Dream Cruise/M&M Realty business partner, Debra Dickens.

Before the shooting, Mrs. Keating allegedly dressed in her husband’s clothes, parked her car "several blocks" away, walked to the office and hid in the office awaiting Mrs. Dickens’ arrival, police said.

During court arraignments, police indicated the motive appeared to be financial in nature.

The defense claimed Mrs. Keating was mentally incapable at the time of understanding her actions. Prosecutors refuted that claim, saying she planned the attack