SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)– A man accused of killing a retired school bus driver entered an Alford Plea Thursday.
Nicholas Willinger entered the Alford Plea to charges of murder, robbery, and burglary in the killing of Sue Jones. Jones was found dead in her bed in 2010. Her body was found in her home near Sadieville. She had been beaten to death.
The crime went unsolved for four years.
In court Thursday, her daughter, Gail Jones, read a statement saying it is not for her to forgive Willinger.
“You have completely destroyed our family,” she said. Gail wanted to play a song in court, but the judge denied her request.
Willinger sits quietly as victim's daughter reads emotional statement in court. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/F274rDcAKL
— Leigh Searcy (@LSearcLex) December 20, 2018
Willinger was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder, robbery, and burglary in Sue Jones’ death. He gets five years credit for time served.
By entering an Alford Plea, it means he understands there is enough evidence to convict but doesn’t mean he is admitting guilt.
Back in March, he pleaded guilty to federal child porn charges and was sentenced in July to more than 15 years to be followed by supervised release for life.
In court, Willinger said nothing to the victim’s family.
