A man accused of killing four people in 2009 pleaded guilty on Tuesday, FOX 5's Darryl Carver reports.
Richard Ringold pleaded guilty to four counts of murder, aggravated assault and possession of firearm. He will receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Ringold is accused of shooting and killing Antonia Butler, her 11-year-old daughter, and two adults inside a home in 2009. Two others were also wounded.
Ringold sat quietly in the courtroom as evidence was presented by Georgia Bureau of Investigation criminologists, and police officers who gathered the evidence while working the case.
An ex-girlfriend of Ringold, Tish Brown, also took the stand and testified about a phone call she had with Ringold that seemed to have left the suspect enraged.
The lone survivor of the shooting, a 4-year-old girl who is now 7 years old, had been expected to testify sometime Tuesday afternoon. Doctors from Children's Healthcare at Egleston talked about what the girl said she saw and heard. They also talked about the multiple gunshot wounds they treated and the girl's frightened state of mind.
Family members say the child is still recovering but the guilty plea gives her and them some sense of justice.
Nancy Butler, the victim's mother, said she was relieved that the deal was reached before her granddaughter had to testify.
"I'm just so happy for me and my family," said Butler.
Ringold was facing a possible death penalty. Gwinnett Count District Attorney Danny Porter said he agreed to the plea deal after talking to the victims' family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:40 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:40:39 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
