After a day and a half of testimony, an Augusta woman charged with murder and aggravated assault admitted her guilt in setting a fatal fire.
Letisha McClain, 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Richmond County Superior Court to murder in the May 11, 2018, death of 66-year-old Walter Benning and aggravated assault for endangering the lives of his three brothers. Both sides agreed to leave the sentence up to Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. – life in prison with or without parole.
Defense attorney Sean Gamble prepared a mitigation package for the judge describing the toxic environment in which McClain grew up and said she’s become a different person. When he took over her defense, he couldn’t even have a conversation with McClain. Now she exhibits perfect behavior in jail, attends church services and is a model for other inmates, he said.