Local

Murderer at age 14, agrees to serve life sentence on his 16th birthday

He gunned a woman down in cold blood when just 14 years old, and on his 16th birthday, Joshua Scott Mooney accepted a plea deal that will send him to prison for life.

Mooney agreed to plead guilty Friday to first degree murder, robbery with a firearm, and second degree burglary.

He broke into a home belonging to the parents of Mary Escue, 47, of Reno Nevada in December of 2012.

When she came home and discovered him inside, he held her at gunpoint with a rifle found inside the house, then shot and killed her.

First Asst. D.A. Doug Drummond tells KRMG the plea deal includes life sentences for the murder and robbery charges, and 7 years for the burglary charge, all sentences to be served concurrently.

In Oklahoma, a life sentence is considered to be 45 years; murder and robbery with a firearm convictions require the prisoner to serve 85 percent of the sentence before parole can be considered.

That means Mooney will have to serve just over 38 years before he's eligible for parole.

Drummond says he's happy with the outcome of the case.

"If we don't have to go to trial, and we can get a sentence we believe is justice, we do that," he told KRMG. "That's better for the family. They don't have to sit through the emotion of the trial."

Mooney will not receive any credit for time served; he's been in jail since his arrest in December, 2012.

You can read the Victim's Impact Statement from Mary Escue's parents here.

Listen

news

weather

traffic

mobile apps

Everything you love about krmg.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!