Appomattox County circuit court judge Joel Cunningham gave Christopher Speight five life terms in prison.
Speight killed eight people, one of the commonwealth's worst killing sprees, between January 17th and 19th in 2010, including his own sister, and his young nephew.
Family members of one of the victims, 16 year old Bo Scruggs, said they wanted Speight to get the death penalty.
Prosecutors said, since every psychiatrist who examined Speight ruled him insane at the time of the crimes, they agreed to a plea deal that puts him in prison for life, but takes the death penalty off the table.
Other family members of some of the victims, like the family of Karen Quarles, said they thought the sentence was just.
Monday, June 10 2013 3:50 PM EDT2013-06-10 19:50:59 GMT
High school graduation is usually a time to celebrate; but on Saturday, that day of celebration, turned into a tragedy for one Bertie County family. Sandra Williams-McGlone was waiting to watch her
A Bertie County family is devastated when two sons are killed on the way to graduation.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:31:33 GMT
Court records show a Carroll County substitute bus driver has been arrested and charged with DUI and reckless driving. Court papers claim Ricky Lee Phillips was on his way to pick up students from summer
Court records show a Carroll County substitute bus driver has been arrested and charged with DUI and reckless driving.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:01 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:01:45 GMT
Salem Police are searching for two suspects in connection with a home break-in over the weekend.Officers say they were called to the 10 block of McCauley Drive, at 5:12 a.m. on Sunday, June 16th for a
U.S. Marshals arrested 19-year-old DeAnthony Marquis Jackson, and 20-year-old Percy Johnson IV, of Roanoke. Two other suspects previously caught during crime.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:29 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:29:18 GMT
Accused New River Valley Mall shooter Neil MacInnis is scheduled to be in court this afternoon. MacInnis is accused of shooting two women at the New River Community College's satellite campus inside the
Accused New River Valley Mall shooter Neil MacInnis is scheduled to be in court this afternoon.
Friday, June 14 2013 1:26 PM EDT2013-06-14 17:26:58 GMT
Today our In A Day's Drive series takes us to Wytheville. Be sure to check out the eight day family-oriented Chautauqua Festival! It runs June 15 - June 22.www.VisitWytheville.com
Today our In A Day's Drive series takes us to Wytheville. Be sure to check out the eight day family-oriented Chautauqua Festival! It runs June 15 - June 22.www.VisitWytheville.com
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:53:10 GMT
The Internet and television are used to make art. An artist from Chicago, Jason Salavon, designed the installation for one of the Taubman Museum of Art's latest exhibits. Projections of social media,
The Internet and television are used to make art.
An artist from Chicago, Jason Salavon, designed the installation for one of the Taubman Museum of Art's latest exhibits.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:44:04 GMT
The Roanoke County Police Department has released a new video aimed at teaching local kids about calling 911. Dispatcher Beverly Orange took a big part in making the video a reality, and says it's something
The Roanoke County Police Department has released a new video aimed at teaching local kids about calling 911. Dispatcher Beverly Orange took a big part in making the video a reality, and says it's something
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:54:41 GMT
An old school in our area is getting a bit of a makeover and it's all thanks to a local group of volunteers in Buena Vista who decided to step up to the plate. Reverend Bryon LePere came up with the idea
An old school in our area is getting a bit of a makeover and it's all thanks to a local group of volunteers in Buena Vista who decided to step up to the plate.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:31:33 GMT
Court records show a Carroll County substitute bus driver has been arrested and charged with DUI and reckless driving. Court papers claim Ricky Lee Phillips was on his way to pick up students from summer
Court records show a Carroll County substitute bus driver has been arrested and charged with DUI and reckless driving.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:29 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:29:18 GMT
Accused New River Valley Mall shooter Neil MacInnis is scheduled to be in court this afternoon. MacInnis is accused of shooting two women at the New River Community College's satellite campus inside the
Accused New River Valley Mall shooter Neil MacInnis is scheduled to be in court this afternoon.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:53 AM EDT2013-06-18 14:53:24 GMT
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday for areas along and north of Highway 460 as well as Franklin and Campbell Counties. Heavy rain fell, up to two inches, across these areas this morning
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday. Additional heavy rain of one to two inches is possible which could lead to high water problems.