An 18-year-old boy could spend the rest of his life in prison after being sentenced to life in prison for the bloody murder of his entire family.
A West Virginia judge sentenced Gavin Smith after he was found guilty of first and second degree murder charges in the deaths of his mother Risa Mae Saunders, 39 years old; his stepfather Daniel Dale Long, 37; and his brothers Gage Ripley12, and Jameson Longof 3.
“You murdered your entire family, Mr. Smith. You devised this plan to kill your family days and weeks in advance, for the selfish reason of spending time with your girlfriend,” the judge said. Kenneth Ballardaccording to People.
“You executed your mother and stepfather by shooting them in the head while they were sleeping. Then you executed your two brothers by shooting them in the head. The youngest, who was hiding under his crib. Your actions can only be described as an act of pure evil. I can tell he feels no remorse for his actions.”
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WEST VIRGINIA REGIONAL JAIL Gavin Smith
The judge added that the only reason he did not sentence him to death is because state law did not authorize it.
During the hearing, the father of Daniel Dale Long asked for a harsh punishment for the convicted man.
“I believe that this sentence should be harsh and severe, to serve the maximum allowed by law,” he said. “Human life is a gift from God our creator. He and only He has the right to give life and take it away.”
Gavin was 16 years old when he carried out the massacre in December 2020. A relative found the bodies of the victims and notified the police, according to the local channel WBOY-TV.
Gavin’s girlfriend Rebecca Walkerpleaded guilty to four counts of complicity and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in September 2021. The young man could be eligible for parole when he has served the first 15 years in prison.
