John Michael Legg was spared the possibility of a death penalty after he pleaded guilty Wednesday morning through an agreement with the district attorney to three counts of capital murder in the 2020 shooting deaths of seven people in Valhermoso Springs.

“It was a negotiated plea, and it was impacted by the previous trial of Mr. (Frederic) Rogers,” Morgan County District Attorney Scott Anderson said. “Of course, in that case, we sought the death penalty.”

Circuit Judge Stephen Brown accepted 23-year-old Legg’s pleas and sentenced him to life in prison without parole for each count.

Legg belonged to a motorcycle gang called Seven Deadly Sins when he was invited, along with Rogers, 26, to a dinner party on June 4, 2020. The pair had planned to “wipe the slate clean” over perceived disobedience toward the club from some inside 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. Afterward, Legg and Rogers tried to burn some of the victims’ bodies.

Rogers was convicted of capital murder following a lengthy trial and sentenced in September to life without parole on the 10-2 recommendation of a 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 that he would seek the death penalty for both men.

“Naturally, that sentence from (Rogers’) jury impacted our view of this case. It was our determination, as we prepared for Rogers’ trial, that Mr. Rogers was more culpable in the commission of these crimes than was Mr. Legg,” Anderson said.

“And so, just out of a pure sense of justice, we felt like it would be unjust to seek the death penalty on Mr. Legg when Mr. Rogers did not receive the death penalty. And so, that jury had a major impact on how we saw Mr. Legg’s case.”

Anderson said his office met with the victims’ families after Rogers was sentenced and explained the situation.

“They didn’t necessarily like it, but they understood that we have to be just for everybody,” he said. “I applaud them for that maturity and understanding that we have to seek justice, and sometimes we don’t know what that justice is until a jury tells us.

“It’s always our hope that they’ll receive some type of closure in their lives. We can’t bring their loved ones back — wish we could but we can’t — but we can give them justice … and we’ve 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 shackled and motionless before the bench.

Meadow Hodgin, the younger sister of William Hodgin, read a statement on behalf of her family written by her sister, Fiona. She told 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 gorgeous smile.” Roberts left behind children and siblings. His family said his death “will haunt (them) everyday” for the rest of their lives.

England’s mother described Tammy as a caring mother of four, 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. She has suffered from anxiety, panic attacks and nightmares since England’s death. “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 a steady job due to frequent panic attacks since the murders. The daughter used to be a hairstylist who practiced with Payne’s and her mother’s hair. Now, styling hair is too painful a reminder.

“I just want to talk to my mom,” another of England’s daughters wrote.

Brown then asked Legg if he had anything he would like to say before sentencing.

“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, if it comes from those who have not sat in the courtroom and are not privy to all the facts and applicable laws, is “off base.”

Berry and Little did not respond to requests for comment.

— [email protected] or 256-340-2438.

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