Kentucky man pleads guilty in family murder plot

Prosecutors have said the investigation revealed it to be a murder-for-hire scheme with a twist: Champion sought Riservato’s help in carrying out the slayings, and then Riservato was also killed. Champion was arrested about five days after the slayings.

“It was an awful case. There’s nothing good that can be said about this case or the facts of it,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins. She said the remaining family members sought “closure and certainty” with the plea agreement.

Ovey-Wiggins declined Thursday to comment on the details of the case before Champion’s sentencing Jan. 27. She said she could have secured a death sentence for Champion, but the family did not want to endure the years of appeals associated with execution cases.

In Champion’s own account to media, he said he was at the home with his parents, Lindsey and Joy Champion, and sister Emily when Riservato entered the home and started shooting. He said at the time he had only met Riservato once before the shooting.

Champion posted updates on Facebook, saying he had survived and was recuperating, with later updates saying he was in need of money and seeking odd jobs.

The kidnapping charge pertained to 31-year-old Emily, a veterinarian in Louisiana who was in town visiting her parents at the time of the slayings. Prosecutors said she was restrained by duct tape during the attack.

Dylan Lovan, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Kentucky man pleads guilty in family murder plot

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