CADIZ, Ky. – A Kentucky man charged with orchestrating the killings of his parents, sister and an acquaintance has avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty to four counts of murder.
Ryan Champion also pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of kidnapping. After the slayings in October 2014, Champion portrayed himself as the lone survivor of an attack on his family in western Kentucky.
Champion said 22-year-old Vito Riservato had killed the family and he survived by killing Riservato. But prosecutors have said it was a murder-for-hire scheme with a twist that ended with Riservato's slaying.
Commonwealth's Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins says the remaining family members were seeking closure with the plea agreement. Champion will be sentenced Jan. 27.
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