Update: Woman Pleads Guilty to Murdering, Burying Two Men
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: November 8, 2012
Fifty-one year-old Marissa Wright pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in Saline County Court Wednesday morning and was ordered to serve two life sentences for the deaths of two men discovered in Traskwood last year.
Wright faced the death penalty and in considering whether to accept her plea deal, some of victims family members said in court, they were torn.
On the one hand, they wanted Wright to die a slow painful death as had her victims.
Instead, they said they took the more Christian route, bypassing a trial. She'll now spend the rest of her life behind bars.
"This case was complicated, it took a lot of time and hard work," Saline County Prosecutor Ken Casady.
Casady credited the hard work of local law enforcement for Wednesday's plea deal.
"I definitely think Saline County has been safer since she's been off the streets," said Casady.
Marissa Wright was first connected to a murder back in 1989 but had been off the radar until October, 2011.
Authorities learned the body of Joe Lee Richards, Jr. who'd been missing for one year, was buried in Wright's backyard in Traskwood. He'd been shot and left to die.
Digging for that body, authorities also found the body of Randall Anderson. He's been dead for three years. Beaten, he died with a bag over his head.
Wright, prosecutors say, murdered both men and then, with the help of others, separately buried them under her Koi pond.
"It was a fairly massive investigation," Casady said.
Casady says he had multiple witnesses and tons of physical evidence. Still, after talking with the victims' family members, he worked out a deal.
In court Wednesday, Wright told a judge she was guilty of both murders.
But nearly all the while, the now gray-haired woman kept a smile on her face. chatting with her attorney even as the victims' family members told a judge of the lives she'd destroyed.
Escorted out, she had the same smile on her face, but was otherwise silent.
Casady says to his knowledge Wright has shown little remorse.
"I think it's fair to say her demeanor hasn't changed," Casady said.
Victims' families say they hope she's miserable in prison, saying it's more than she deserves.
Now, as she left out to serve two life sentences, Casady says justice has been served.
"I'm glad it's done," he said.
Two other defendants still face charges, prosecutors say, for their parts in each of the two murders.
They've not yet had their days in court.
Count on us to stay with this; we'll let you know what happens.
Continuing Coverage:
Unsealed Documents Reveal Details and Timeline of Men's Deaths in Traskwood
Wright faced the death penalty and in considering whether to accept her plea deal, some of victims family members said in court, they were torn.
On the one hand, they wanted Wright to die a slow painful death as had her victims.
Instead, they said they took the more Christian route, bypassing a trial. She'll now spend the rest of her life behind bars.
"This case was complicated, it took a lot of time and hard work," Saline County Prosecutor Ken Casady.
Casady credited the hard work of local law enforcement for Wednesday's plea deal.
"I definitely think Saline County has been safer since she's been off the streets," said Casady.
Marissa Wright was first connected to a murder back in 1989 but had been off the radar until October, 2011.
Authorities learned the body of Joe Lee Richards, Jr. who'd been missing for one year, was buried in Wright's backyard in Traskwood. He'd been shot and left to die.
Digging for that body, authorities also found the body of Randall Anderson. He's been dead for three years. Beaten, he died with a bag over his head.
Wright, prosecutors say, murdered both men and then, with the help of others, separately buried them under her Koi pond.
"It was a fairly massive investigation," Casady said.
Casady says he had multiple witnesses and tons of physical evidence. Still, after talking with the victims' family members, he worked out a deal.
In court Wednesday, Wright told a judge she was guilty of both murders.
But nearly all the while, the now gray-haired woman kept a smile on her face. chatting with her attorney even as the victims' family members told a judge of the lives she'd destroyed.
Escorted out, she had the same smile on her face, but was otherwise silent.
Casady says to his knowledge Wright has shown little remorse.
"I think it's fair to say her demeanor hasn't changed," Casady said.
Victims' families say they hope she's miserable in prison, saying it's more than she deserves.
Now, as she left out to serve two life sentences, Casady says justice has been served.
"I'm glad it's done," he said.
Two other defendants still face charges, prosecutors say, for their parts in each of the two murders.
They've not yet had their days in court.
Count on us to stay with this; we'll let you know what happens.
Continuing Coverage:
Unsealed Documents Reveal Details and Timeline of Men's Deaths in Traskwood
