Man sentenced to life for rape, murder of 65-year-old

WILMINGTON, Del. -- A Wilmington man has been sentenced to life without parole in the rape and murder of a 65-year-old woman in December, 2011.

Dwight Smith, 28, pleaded guilty to first degree murder and first degree rape.

Marsha Lee was reported missing after her dog returned without her from a morning walk.

Witnesses told police they heard a woman screaming saw the driver of a red SUV put something into his vehicle.

Later that day, police stopped a vehicle matching that description, pulled Smith over, and took him into custody.

Smith pled guilty but mentally ill to First Degree Murder, First Degree Rape, and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony.