A co-defendant in the murder of a West Georgia University coed has pleaded guilty, not to the killing, but to the cover-up.

Joshua Keegan Clay, 32, of Carrollton, was implicated in the strangulation of Marcelle Elliott by statements made by his girlfriend.  But police could not link him to the actual killing.

However, police did find evidence that he was present following the death of the 21-year-old and helped Farrah Strength conceal the murder.

Strength was convicted in Elliott's killing and is serving a life sentence.

Marcy Elliott was murdered in July of 2010, after being lured to Strength's home on the premise that Strength was going to loan her a book.  No motive in the murder has ever been ascertained.

In the Carroll County Superior Court, Joshua Clay pleaded guilty to charges of tampering with evidence and concealing a death.  He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with seven to serve.  He has also been banished from the Coweta and Cobb Judicial Circuits.

Shortly after Clay's plea police arrested 53-year-old Christine Strength, the mother of Farrah Strength.

The younger Strength allegedly confided in her mother following the murder.  Christine Strength, according to investigators, then assisted her daughter in covering up the death, lying to the police and helping dispose of Elliott's body.

The mother is charged with concealing a death, tampering with evidence and make false statements to police.

Police delayed arresting Christine Strength in case she would be needed as a witness against Clay.  Once he pleaded guilty, avoiding a trial, a warrant was issued and Strength was taken into custody.