Richard Forest Mabry says killing was part of a motorcycle gang initiation.

A Dublin man pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder in a January stabbing death that he claims was part of an initiation into a motorcycle gang.

Richard Forest Mabry, 41, was scheduled to be tried by a jury in Pulaski County Circuit Court beginning Monday. Instead, he reached an agreement with Pulaski County Commonwealth's Attorney Mike Fleenor and entered a guilty plea in court Tuesday morning.

The body of Dawn Lee Meredith Wright, 42, was found Jan. 23 off the side of a gravel road that crosses Walker Mountain, in a section of Pulaski County called Bloomer's Mountain. Wright had been stabbed multiple times in the chest and back two days earlier, Fleenor said.

Mabry was arrested the day after the body was found.

"He has stood by this story that it was part of an initiation into the Pagans motorcycle gang," Fleenor said after Tuesday's hearing.

He said Mabry and another man, French David Kanode, went to Wright's home in Radford and talked her into leaving with them. They went to a Subway restaurant and then to a tattoo shop before Mabry dropped Kanode off at a home. He then drove Wright up the mountain, Fleenor said.

Mabry first told investigators with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office that he and Wright argued and he stabbed her once in the leg in self-defense. He said she then fell on the knife, causing the fatal wounds, Fleenor said.

But Mabry later recanted that story and told investigators that he intentionally killed her.

He told investigators that he was trying to join the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and that Kanode was a representative of the gang. He said Kanode said he had to kill someone as part of his initiation, a requirement he called "blood in, blood out," Fleenor said.

Mabry told police that as he drove Wright, he stopped the van and stabbed her once in the chest. Wright got out and ran down the road, but Mabry caught up with her and stabbed her again.

She fell backward against a snow-covered embankment, where Mabry continued to stab her, Fleenor said. He has said Wright was stabbed at least five times.

Mabry then dragged her body across the road to the spot where it was later discovered by passers-by, Fleenor said. He said it was apparent from impressions in the snow that a struggle had taken place.

Other witnesses said Mabry arrived later at the residence where he had dropped off Kanode. Kanode had already left.

Mabry told investigators he then went to Kanode's home and told him what he had done.

He insisted, Fleenor said, that he had killed Wright only because Kanode had threatened to kill his family if he didn't go through with the killing.

Kanode has denied any involvement, Fleenor said. He has not been charged in connection with the killing.

Fleenor said the case is still under investigation.

Circuit Court Judge Colin Gibb sentenced Mabry to 50 years in prison, with 20 years suspended.

The charge carries a prison sentence of 20 years to life.

In court, Mabry said he was sorry for what he had done and apologized to Wright's family and to the courts for having to deal with his case, Fleenor said. He said he had found Jesus and felt as though he deserved his punishment, Fleenor said.

No one from Wright's family, who has been difficult to track down, Fleenor said, was in court for the hearing.