‘Green River Killer’ sentenced to life in prison

SEATTLE, Washington: Saying the time has come for “your reign of terror” to be punished, a judge yesterday sentenced Gary Leon Ridgway — the most prolific serial murderer in US history — to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a powerful and chilling sentencing speech, King County Superior Court Judge Richard Jones told Ridgway he hoped the 48 women he killed would show up in his dreams and haunt him while he sits in prison. Jones began his speech from the bench with a 48-second moment of silence, a second to honour each victim. Moments earlier, Ridgway fought back tears and sniffled as he told the court, “I’m sorry for causing so much pain for so many people.”

Earlier yesterday, Ridgway publicly showed emotion for the first time as relatives of the women he murdered somberly spoke out against him. As many relatives of victims spoke, tears ran down Ridgway’s face. Washington state Department of Corrections officials said Ridgway will likely end up in a facility that will offer few cellmates, or separate him from other inmates altogether.