Dec. 19—John Michael Legg was spared the possibility of a death penalty after pleading guilty Wednesday morning through a deal with prosecutors to three counts of capital murder in the 2020 shooting that left seven people dead in Valhermoso Springs.
“It was a negotiated plea, and it was influenced by the previous trial of Mr. (Frederic) Rogers,” Morgan County District Attorney Scott Anderson said. “In that case, of course, we demanded the death penalty.”
Circuit Judge Stephen Brown accepted 23-year-old Legg’s pleas and sentenced him to life in prison without parole on each charge.
Legg belonged to a motorcycle gang called Seven Deadly Sins when he, along with Rogers, 26, was invited to 522 Talucah Road for dinner on June 4, 2020. The pair planned to “wipe the slate clean” due to perceived disobedience towards the club of some in the home, according to testimony at Rogers’ trial. Legg was 19 years old at the time.
Legg and Rogers shot and killed Jeramy Roberts, 31, of Athens; James Wayne Benford, 22, of Decatur; William Zane Hodgin, 18, of Somerville; Roger Lee Jones Jr., 20, of Decatur; and Valhermoso Springs residents Tammy England Muzzey, 45, Emily Brooke Payne, 21, and Dakota Green, 17. Then Legg and Rogers tried to burn some of the victims’ bodies.
Rogers was convicted of capital murder after a lengthy trial and sentenced in September to life without parole on the recommendation of a 10-2 jury.
The jury found Rogers guilty on three counts: murder during a burglary, murder of two or more people by one act, and murder during arson. Legg pleaded guilty to the same charges Wednesday morning.
After Legg and Rogers were indicted in 2021, Anderson told The Decatur Daily he would seek the death penalty for both men.
“Of course, that (Rogers) jury verdict had an impact on our view of this case. As we prepared for the trial of Rogers, it was our determination that Mr. Rogers was more guilty of committing these crimes than Mr. Legg,” Anderson said.
“And so, just out of sheer sense of justice, we felt that it would be unjust to seek the death penalty against Mr. Legg when Mr. Rogers did not receive the death penalty. And so that jury had a major impact on how we viewed Mr. Legg’s case.”
Anderson said his office met with the victims’ families after Rogers was convicted and explained the situation.
“They didn’t necessarily like it, but they understood that we have to be there for everyone,” he said. “I applaud them for their maturity and understanding that we must seek justice, and sometimes we don’t know what that justice is until a jury tells us.
“It is always our hope that they will somehow get some closure in their lives. We can’t bring their loved ones back – we would like to, but we can’t – but we can get them justice… and we have done that.”
Before Legg was sentenced Wednesday morning, the court heard impact statements from the victims’ families. Legg, flanked by his attorneys, John Berry and Brandon Little, stood handcuffed and motionless in front of the bench.
Meadow Hodgin, William Hodgin’s younger sister, read a statement on behalf of her family, written by her sister Fiona. She talked about how William always stood up for his sisters and helped his grandfather on the farm. William was an “active member in the Church” who “touched so many hearts.”
Assistant District Attorney Courtney Schellack read letters on behalf of other families.
A letter from Roberts’ family said: “He had a heart of gold and a beautiful smile.” Roberts left behind children and siblings. His family said his death “will haunt them every day for the rest of their lives.”
The English mother described Tammy as a caring mother of four children, a daughter and a friend who opened her home to those who needed a hot meal or a place to stay.
“I no longer find joy in the things I used to do,” the mother’s letter said. Since England’s death, she has suffered from anxiety, panic attacks and nightmares. “We will never have peace.”
Schellack also read a letter from one of England’s daughters.
A letter from England’s youngest daughter and Payne’s best friend described difficulty holding down a steady job because of frequent panic attacks since the murders. The daughter used to be a hairstylist who practiced on Payne and her mother’s hair. Now styling hair is too painful a memory.
“I just want to talk to my mom,” wrote another of England’s daughters.
Brown then asked Legg if he had anything to say before he was sentenced.
“No sir,” Legg replied.
Anderson said he expects some people will criticize him for not seeking the death penalty for Legg. He said such criticism, when it comes from those who have not been in court and are not aware of all the facts and applicable laws, is “off base.”
Berry and Little did not respond to requests for comment.
– david.gambino@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438.
