Georgia — A drifter agreed to lead investigators to a hiker's decapitated body in the woods of northern Georgia only after prosecutors pledged not to seek the death penalty against him, authorities said Tuesday.
Gary Michael Hilton, 61, was charged with murder after Meredith Emerson's body was found Monday night. The 24-year-old died of a blow to the head three days after she disappeared during a New Year's Day hike, said Dawson County District Attorney Lee Darragh.
Hilton had already been charged Saturday with kidnapping with intent of bodily injury. He is being held in the Dawson County jail.
The finding that Emerson died before being decapitated was made by Kris Sperry, the state's chief medical examiner, said Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokesman John Bankhead.
Comments
50YearResident 6 years, 2 months ago
The agreement should have been: Instead of lynching you tonight, we will wait 30 days!
akt2 6 years, 2 months ago
An eye for an eye. This is just the tip of the iceberg on this guy. He is a stalker who has surely killed others while roaming various state parks. He should die. There is nothing else our society can do for him. And we should start putting the ones that have been sentenced to death, to death. Enough of this death row crap of appeals and moddle coddling. And worrying about which method is more humane. I understand that we are talking about human beings, but they cross the line of humanity when they murder in cold blood. And in this case go on to decapitate and further mutilate their innocent victim.
kneejerkreaction 6 years, 2 months ago
Oh, I'm sorry, we said "dearth" penalty. So in keeping with our agreement we're going to give you plenty to eat.
Now, what time today would you like your last meal?
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