Post by Anja on Aug 14, 2006 3:46:43 GMT -5
A 35-year-old man pleaded guilty Friday to murdering 5 older residents
during six years under a plea deal that let him avoid a possible death
penalty.
Under a deal with prosecutors, Raymont Hopewell will receive 4 consecutive
terms of life imprisonment without parole in four of the deaths when he is
sentenced next month.
The 4 women and 1 man, who ranged in age from early 60s to 88, were found
dead in their homes between February 1999 and August 2005. The women had
been raped. DNA evidence led to Hopewell's arrest a month after the last
death, of Carlton Crawford, 83.
Hopewell, whose arrest record dates to 1989 and includes drug possession,
assault and battery, didn't speak during his court appearance.
Family members said they were appalled by his lack of remorse.
"He's just a wicked dude," said Robin Carter, the daughter-in-law of
78-year-old victim Lydia Wingfield. "He doesn't deserve to live one second
more."
John Mack, whose mother Sadie was murdered by Hopewell in May 2005, said
he didn't mind that Hopewell avoided any chance of execution because such
a sentence would bring a long delay in justice.
"We'd rather him just rot in jail," Mack said.
Prosecution spokesman Joseph Sviatko said his office sought the plea
agreement with Hopewell to "get him off the street for the rest of his
life."
Sentencing was set for Sept. 14.
Besides the consecutive life terms in the 4 murders, Hopewell also will
receive 5 other life sentences for crimes including rape and the 5th
murder. The deal also includes lengthy sentences for assault, robbery with
a deadly weapon and burglary.
(source: Associated Press)