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Indiana man charged in 'Purge' killings pleads guilty
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Published April 28, 2017
This image provided by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department shows Johnathan Cruz. Prosecutor Terry Curry said Wednesday, June 1, 2016, that 19-year-old Cruz faces multiple charges including robbery, intimidation and a criminal gang enhancement. (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department via AP)
An Indianapolis man accused of killing three people in a four-day spree modeled on “The Purge” horror film series has pleaded guilty.
Johnathan S. Cruz, 20, faced three murder charges related to the shooting deaths of two people on May 12 and a third person on May 15. He also had robbery, intimidation, and gun charges pending.
CALIFORNIA POLICE IN HOURS-LONG STANDOFF WITH MURDER SUSPECT
#BREAKING: Accused Indianapolis "Purge" killer pleads guilty, will avoid death penalty https://t.co/e13ViTxIW4 pic.twitter.com/zccmVcwvO4
— FOX59 News (@FOX59) April 28, 2017
Prosecutors initially were seeking the death penalty in the case but instead came to a deal when Cruz pled guilty on Friday to three counts of murder and one count of robbery. He agreed to three consecutive life sentences without parole in addition to a separate 16 years in prison for the robbery.
The murders were designed after the film in which all crime, including murder, is legal for a designated annual 12-hour period, court documents said. Investigators think the crimes, which Cruz labeled a “purge,” was related to criminal gang activity.
Cruz is scheduled to be sentenced by a judge on May 11.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/indiana-man-charged-in-purge-killings-pleads-guilty