4 months ago
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- An Augusta man waived his right to a jury trial, pleaded guilty to a murder charge and was sentenced to life in prison.
Richmond County District Attorney Ashley Wright says Antonio Jones, who was on trial for the murder of 23-year-old Eladio Gonzalez, entered the plea in exchange for the state not seeking the death penalty.
Judge Michael N. Annis handed down a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Investigators said Jones and Lacy J. Barnard, who will be tried separately, lured the victim and another man to a remote area with the intent of robbing and killing them. Both men were shot repeatedly with a shotgun but one survived.
A third suspect, 55-year-old Ronald Banks, died from liver cancer while incarcerated.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
