ATHENS — A man authorities said participated in the November 2006 beating death and robbery of an Ardmore man pleaded guilty Friday.

According to court records, Derrick Demetris Green, 44, of 29982 Jones Ave., Lot 4, Ardmore, pleaded guilty to capital murder committed during a robbery in exchange for a sentence of life without parole. Had a jury found him guilty, he could have faced the death penalty.

State law requires the prosecution to present part of its case to a jury to ensure there is enough evidence for a capital murder charge, even if a defendant makes a guilty plea.

Jury selection for that trial will begin Monday at 9 a.m. before Circuit Court Judge Jimmy Woodroof, with testimony to follow.

According to Limestone County Sheriff’s Department records, 74-year-old Art Champion of State Line Road West, Ardmore, was asleep when three people broke into his home.

Sheriff Mike Blakely told The Daily after the slaying that Champion’s dog, Pookie, barked and woke up his owner. The trio attacked Champion with a hickory stick as he walked down the hallway, Blakely said.

The three took a jar containing about $100 in quarters and bought five crack rocks from a drug dealer in Harvest, Blakely said.

One of Champion’s sons found the body the next day. The son is hearing impaired and took a note to Ardmore police that said someone had killed his father.

Authorities charged Green and his wife, Jeannie Carol Green, 38, and a third suspect, Randall “Bingo” Clem, 42, of 26425 Hamlett St., Apartment A-1, Ardmore, Tenn., with capital murder, robbery and burglary.

Jeannie Green and Clem are in jail without bail pending their trial.

Blakely said Champion had befriended the Greens when Jeannie Green broke her foot. The sheriff said Champion cooked meals for the couple during her recovery.