BENTON, Ky. (WTVF) — The suspect accused of killing two students at Marshall County High School in Kentucky has pleaded guilty in the case.
Gabriel Parker, with his attorney Tom Griffiths, pleaded guilty Tuesday to all 16 charges in Judge Jamie Jameson’s courtroom in Benton.
Those charges include two counts of murder, eight counts of 1st degree assault, 20 years each, and six counts of 2nd degree assault, 10 years each. He faces a life sentence for the murder charges with the possibility of parole after 20 years. It was part of a plea agreement signed off by commonwealth's attorney Dennis Foust based on the inability to prove serious physical injuries on some of the counts.
A sentencing date has been set for June 12. Judge Jameson could lessen his sentence during the scheduled court hearing.
The shooting happened in January 2018. Two students, Bailey Holt and Preston Cope, were killed and four others were critically injured. Foust said the families of Holt and Cope supported the plea agreement.
"It has been a difficult day for everyone. While they're relieved, it's a difficult situation but they won't have to go through a trial now," Foust said.
The hearing was supposed to discuss if the trial diat should be moved based on concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, through his attorney, Parker wanted to a plea agreement.
Parker, who is now 18 years old, has been able to graduate high school while in custody in Christian County, Kentucky where the trial was supposed to take place. Cope and Holt were supposed to graduate from high school this year.
Bailey Holt's family released a statement after the hearing:
"Today was a victory for our family! Getting to hear the words “guilty” come out of Gabe Parker‘s mouth was something we have prayed for since this happened! We could never fully heal until we heard those very words. On behalf of our family we would like to extend our gratitude and heartfelt thanks for everyone that has prayed for us and everyone else involved in this tragedy. Moving on to June 12, we will be able to address him as well as the other victims. We will never fully have closure as we have to live with the reality that Bailey will never be here on earth with us, however this small victory today will help our hearts heal a little and is definitely something we have needed for quite some time."
