(Bay Minette, Alabama) One of three people charged in the capital murder of a gay man in 2004 suddenly entered a guilty plea on Monday -- a week before his trial was to begin.

Despite the guilty plea by Christopher Gaines, 22, Alabama law requires that a jury to hear evidence in the case to determine whether a capital murder charge is warranted. The jury's decision will mean either the death penalty or life in prison for Gaines.

He, along with Nichole Kelsay, 21, and Robert Holly Lofton Porter, 21 were charged with killing Scotty Joe Weaver in part because he was gay.

All three defendants opted for separate trials. Neither the prosecution nor the defense attorneys would speculate on Monday if Gaines will testify at the trials of the other two.

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Hallie Dixon, one of the defense attorneys has called for a change of venue, saying that media coverage has tainted a potential jury pool in Baldwin County. The murder drew interest from gay rights groups across the country, and hundreds of mourners attended a vigil for Weaver in Mobile after the killing.