LAS VEGAS -- On the eve of the trial, Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan copped a plea deal for the killing of Melissa James.

Titus pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and arson.

Ryan agreed to first-degree arson and battery with a deadly weapon.

Both sides said they are happy with the deal. They negotiated for a long time, but came to a decision Friday inside court.

The question is if the public will ever learn exactly what happened to James.

James, 28, was found dead in December 2005. Her badly burned body was discovered in a Jaguar parked near Red Rock Canyon.

The car belonged to Las Vegas body builder Ryan, who, along with her husband, who is also a body builder, was arrested after being captured in Boston.

Both were facing first-degree murder charges.

Titus could now face anywhere from 15 to 55 years in prison.

"His concern for his wife as we approach trial … Craig Titus became more and more worried about the exposure his wife was going to have to first-degree murder," said Titus’ attorney, Marc Saggese.

"There are witnesses that would have testified Kelly went into stores, got lighter fluid and was with individuals when they drove to the desert and committed the arsons. We felt it was in her best interest to take a negotiation," said Ryan’s attorney, Michael Cristalli.

The district attorney claimed there was strong evidence against both Titus and Ryan.

James’ family in Florida said they felt good about the deal, but like everyone, they said they want answers.

"There was a confrontation between Kelly and Melissa, and Craig intervened. And ultimately, it was Craig Titus who killed Melissa James, and these guilty pleas reflect that (is) exactly what happened,” said Robert Daskas, of the DA office.

But all sides said the details of James' killing could come out in the sentencing, or the public may never know exactly what happened to James.

Apparently, Titus and Ryan spoke Friday just before the plea deal, but the attorneys claims their discussion had nothing to do with Titus pleading guilty to second-degree murder.