One of two men charged with kidnapping and killing a Palmdale gas station attendant 35 years ago has pleaded guilty to her murder, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced today.

Terry Moses, 60, pleaded guilty on Jan. 7 to the murder of Leslie Long on Dec. 3, 1978, said Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef of the Major Crimes Division who is prosecuting the case. As part of his plea, Moses admitted the special circumstance allegations of murder during a robbery, murder during a kidnapping and murder during a rape in case MA066096.

Moses also pleaded guilty to the murders of Carlton Goodwin and Michael Fuqua on Aug. 22, 1976; and to the attempted murder of Kenney Guevara on Dec. 7, 1996.

Moses will be sentenced to three terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole after his codefendant in the Long murder, Neal Antoine Matthews, 58, goes to trial, Mokayef said.

Matthews was in the Antelope Valley branch court today for arraignment, but it was continued to Feb. 17. He is charged with one count of murder with the special circumstance allegations of murder during a robbery, murder during a kidnapping and murder during a rape.

Victim Leslie Long was working a night shift on Dec. 3, 1978, when she was robbed and kidnapped. Authorities were notified and began searching for Long. Three days later, her body was found off the 14 Freeway in Acton. Investigators believe Long was shot and killed at that location.

DNA evidence ties both men to the murder, Mokayef said.

Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Matthews.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Los Angeles County District Attorney / case MA066096 / January 13, 2016