Brutal Hate Slaying Brings Life Term
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INDEPENDENCE, Va. — After being given a life sentence Friday for his role in the death of a black man who was burned alive and beheaded, a white laborer apologized to the man’s family but refused to accept blame.
“I am factually innocent,” said Emmett Cressell, 38, who was convicted in November of first-degree murder.
Cressell said he had been falsely accused by his co-defendant, Louis Ceparano, who struck a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty. Ceparano also was sentenced to life in prison.
Cressell apologized to the family of Garnett P. Johnson for the anguish they have suffered since the July 1997 slaying, but didn’t accept blame for it.
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