In a stunning development in the case of a murdered and decapitated Georgia hiker, Gary Michael Hilton was indicted, pleaded guilty and sentenced to life in prison all within one court day. The 61-year old drifter would be eligible for parole in 30 years.
Hilton was indicted Thursday morning by a special grand jury. He was indicted He was indicted on murder charges for the bludgeoning death of Meredith Emerson on Jan. 4, three days after he abducted her from a hiking trail in north Georgia.Thursday afternoon, Hilton entered a plea of guilty before Judge Bonnie Oliver, who said she accepted the plea deal proposed by prosecutors because Hilton "likely would have died in prison anyway before the state had a chance to execute him."
Court paper revealed the motive behind the abduction of Emerson, a University of Georgia graduate. Hilton's plan was to kidnap her in order to get access to her bank accounts. Emerson kept giving him fake PIN numbers.
Frustrated, he finally used a tired iron to be her to death. He decapitated her to make it difficult for police to identify the body, according to the GBI.
Authorities are beginning to question Hilton about his involvement in other abductions and murders in North Carolina and Florida.
See Also:
Drifter Guilty in Ga. Hiker's Murder
Background:
The Gary Michael Hilton Case
Forum:
Discuss The Emerson Case
Photo: Mug Shot
Comments