<he explained to me and my father that he wanted her shot...and it couldn't be no other way.>
The accused hired gunman...charged with the 2011 killing of a Warner Robins woman...describes the conversation when he says...her husband offered him money for her murder.
Good evening, everyone, and thanks for joining us.
I'm Frank Malloy.
Leah Johnson has the night off.
Richard Sybert delivered powerful testimony today against James Eddy Clements the man prosecutors say hired Richard Sybert and his father to kill Clements' wife- Joni...
Today...on the stand... Richard Sybert openly talked about killing Joni Clements as she pleaded for her life.
Austin Lewis has more on what happened inside the courtroom.
The prosecution continued to lay out its case against James Eddy Clements...
and one of their key witnesses was sworn in on Thursday...Richard Sybert...
the man who's charged with shooting Joni Clements to death on February 8th...2011.
District Attorney George Hartwig leads the prosecution...and questioned Sybert about how the murder unfolded.
Sybert says Clements made him a house key...so that he could go in the house.
Sybert says when he entered he told Joni that this was a key that her husband made for her...
Then.. He says...when she saw the gun... she begged for her life, even offering him money.
Sybert told her to go up the stairs of the house.
<by the time she got into a room and she said don't shoot me, I couldn't listen to that one more time so I closed my eyes and I shot her. >
Now this is the weapon the prosecution says...Sybert used to kill Joni.
During the questioning, District Attorney Hartwig showed the rifle to the court...and told Richard Sybert to look at it.
That's when Sybert broke down...and said he didn't want to look at it.
Sybert also told jurors about several meetings between him, Eddy Clements, and his father Robert.
That's where, he says, the three had conversations about the premeditation of Joni's murder.
He said Clements promised him that he would give him 1-grand, a car and a date with a stripper for shooting his wife.
But... Sybert also talked about another reason he says he followed through... To get his father's approval.
Now the plea deal...that District Attorney George Hartwig gave Richard Sybert came up with both the prosecution and the defense.
Hartwig said he offered to drop death penalty charges to life in prison without parole in exchange for his testimony.
Sybert spent several minutes looking at the original death penalty notification and the plea deal in court.
Now Franklin Hogue is the the defense attorney in the case.
One of the Hogue's first questions was if Sybert was brought in to testify against Eddy Clements... And land a plea deal that would help him aovid the death penalty.
Richard Sybert responded, my understanding is to tell the truth.
But Hogue questioned Sybert's honesty is previous statements.
He brought up inconsistencies between what Sybert said in court..and what he said in previous interviews with lead investigator Wright and District Attorney Hartwig.
Inconsistencies that included when he says he received the key...and why he said he committed the murder.
That's where Sybert's mental health came into play. He said he had a prescription for bipolar medication...but that he doesn't take it as prescribed because it makes him sick. He didn't specify...whether or not he was on it at the time of Joni's death.
Next step... Sybert will be back on the stand as the defense team continues to cross-examine him. That's supposed to happen Friday morning.
Next step... Sybert will be back on the stand as the defense team continues to cross-examine him. That's supposed to happen Friday morning.
Bibb County's been searching for the next director...to head its troubled animal shelter.
Today...came the announcement there are two finalists in the mix...but there appears to be a problem.
Records show one of the contenders - Richard Rice - left his job as vice president of the Atlanta Humane Society...under a cloud.
Atlanta television station Fox 5 investigated reports that the society failed to document hundreds of parvo cases with the state.
A statement posted on the humane society web site in May said....quote....
"The internal investigation that focused on the Department of Agriculture not receiving contagious disease reports from Atlanta Humane Society is complete. Richard Rice is no longer an Atlanta Humane Society active employee."
Bibb County search committee chairman Lonzy Edwards would not comment on Rice's candidacy.
The other finalist is Sarah Tenon...Supervisor of the Mobile, Alabama County Animal Shelter..
County commissioners say they'll be ready to name a new director next month.
Monday, the Republican National Convention begins in Tampa... And convention planners are afraid the whole thing is shaping up to be a perfect storm.
Susan McGinnis checks out how Isaac is threatening the party plans.
<
SCRIPT:)
FLORIDA IS PREPARING FOR A POLITICAL PARTY... *AND* A POTENTIAL DISASTER. THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IS SET TO BEGIN IN TAMPA ON MONDAY... THE SAME DAY WHAT'S NOW TROPICAL STORM ISAAC COULD STRIKE THE AREA AS A HURRICANE. FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR IS CONFIDENT.
SOT - GOV 18:02:21
"this state is a state that has dealt with hurricanes in the past. We know how to deal with hurricanes. We're ready."
THE STORM IS CURRENTLY SOUTHWEST OF PUERTO RICO. IT'S EXPECTED TO HIT HAITI FRIDAY, AND CUBA OVER THE WEEKEND. IT COULD THEN STRENGTHEN OVER THE WARM WATERS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THREATEN THE KEYS AND WESTERN FLORIDA.
STANDUP BRIDGE:
THE CONVENTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN TAMPA'S CONVENTION CENTER. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DELEGATES, PARTY OFFICIALS, MEDIA AND THE CANDIDATES WILL BEGIN GATHERING HERE OVER THE WEEKEND. IF A STRONG HURRICANE APPROACHES, THIS WHOLE AREA WOULD BE EVACUATED.
TAMPA'S MAYOR SAYS THE CITY IS READY.
SOT - Bob Buckhorn
"We literally would take off our convention hat (gestures with hands) and put on our storm hat, that would be really our only logistical difference."
AHEAD OF THE STORM, 400 BUSES WOULD SHUTTLE THE DELEGATES TO A SAFE LOCATION. BUT THAT'S ONLY IF BOTH THE CITY AND THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE VOTE TO TAKE ACTION.
SOT
"We will not make a decision without each other. All of the players that are involved in this will be looking at the same data, at the same time and make the appropriate decision together."
Come rain or come shine...our guest tonight is destined for Tampa as a delegate.
Vivian Childs is the chair of the 8th Congressional District.
She's also the first African-American woman to serve in that role.
Vivian, what do you most anticipate about the convention this year?
It's that time again...with the Georgia National Fair fast approaching...we'll tell you how to get your concert tickets.
Plus, a musical weekend in Macon...showcasing local talent for every music taste.
Let's start off with a concert that'll have you rocking into the night at Terminal station in downtown Macon. The Military Affairs Committee at the Chamber of commerce...sponsors the Rock'n'Soul benefit for Sergeant Rodney Davis... this Saturday from seven to nine.
Top off your musical entertainment with dollar dogs and wings, quarter cokes, tons of prizes, and more.
Want a ticket? All it'll cost you is ten bucks, and you can pick them up at the Chamber or the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
All the money collected...goes to the Rodney M. Davis Memorial Monument and Scholarship.
Check it out Saturday night.
Now if your Saturday evening takes you to the Forsyth area, there's more musical entertainment to be had. Catch live performances from Ebbyz Bar and Grill on Old Brent Road.
The show starts at nine...and tickets are ten dollars at the door.
Find out more ...on our webpage, 13WMAZ-dot-com.
Or...how about a flashback?
The Yester Daze Rock Band performs Saturday night at Hud's Clubhouse...on Highway 247.
The music rocks Macon from nine until one...Directions and other information...are all on our website too.
Plus, a little theater for your fancy.
"You Get Back, What You Put Out"...takes the stage at the Cox Capitol Theatre Sunday.
The production is a fund-raiser to benefit the non-profit Land Mindz, a group that provides aid to underserved communities.
{***PRE-FONTED***}
<we utilize the performing arts as a key to actually help homeless people and other people with debilitating issues to get back on their feet and we use it as a vehicle of empowerment. We do empowerment around employment, housing and so forth like that. >
Now the cool thing about Land Mindz is...the group is made up...of members who used to be homeless.
And events like this fundraiser are their way of giving back.
Tickets are twenty dollars...And the performance is this Sunday at four.
And...it's about that time. The Georgia National Fair is coming back...October fourth through the fourteenth at the Perry National Fairgrounds...
That means you can snag your tickets now.
You can buy them online at the Georgia National Fair website...there's a link on our homepage.
This year's performers include Kellie Pickler... the country singer known for such songs as "100 Proof" and "where's Tammy Wynette"...
and Joe Nichols.
You may know him for songs like "gimmie that Girl" and "the Impossible".
And don't forget Hot Chelle Rae...
And All Star Weekend.
For more information on those tickets...and all the other events we've featured on Scene 13...go to our homepage..click the Scene 13 tab...and start planning your weekend.
We are still watching Tropical Storm Isaac..
People in the Dominican Republic braced for the storm..as high winds began blowing along the coast.
This is some video from early today...
Tonight's fan of the day is Erica Odum.
Email fan of the day at 13wmaz dot com to claim your coffee mug.
If you want to be fan of the day... Just visit facebook dot com slash 13WMAZ... Become a fan and join the conversations.
We pick the fan of the day randomly.
Thank you for joining us... First Mornin' comes your way at 5 a.m.
The news is always on at 13WMAZ dot com.
Letterman's next
Have a safe night everyone.
<close music>