Woman Gets Plea Deal in Quadruple Murder

Carthage, N.C. — A Moore County woman accused of taking part in the slayings of four men in 2003 accepted a plea deal Wednesday to spare her life.

Renee Yvette McLaughlin pleaded guilty to first-degree kidnapping and being an accessory to first-degree murder. She was sentenced to 12 to 16 years in prison on the charges and was given credit for the four years she has already served awaiting trial.

Eddie Ryals, 21, Carl Garrison Justice, 18, and Harvey Darrell Hobson, 20, all of Carthage, and Joseph Allen Harden, 19, of Vass, were killed on Dec. 19, 2003, in a mobile home on Heron Road, east of Carthage. All four had been shot and stabbed in what authorities said was a robbery. They said the three suspects made off with $170.

Amanda Cook Varner survived being shot twice and stabbed 22 times that day.

McLaughlin was one of three people charged in the case.

In October, a jury sentenced Mario Lynn Phillips, 35, to death in the case. Varner identified Phillips as the gunman and said McLaughlin and Sean Maurice Ray assisted him in the crime.

No trial date has been set for Ray.

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Latest Comments

I don't think she should have been given a plea deal....... she should have gotten the death penalty..........!!!

parr4246
January 24, 2008 6:42 p.m.

"She was sentenced to 12 to 16 years in prison on the charges and was given credit for the four years she has already served awaiting trial."

SHAMEFUL!!! So we should have to worry about this murderer again in 12-16 years? UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Praying for the families of their victims.

God bless.

Rev. RB

Spirit Warrior Woman - Rev. RB
January 24, 2008 5:00 p.m.

I have reached the conclusion that there is NO justice in the North Carolina court system...it's all a matter of who you know and MAYBE...just MAYBE, who's pockets you can line.

Anyone out there remember Sophia Whitley from a few years back? She killed her newborn son and put him in garbage bags in the trunk of her car. The coroner testified that the baby was full term and born alive. She was found guilty of MISDEMEANOR child abuse was placed on probation. Life has no value any longer. It's really quite sad......................

faithwalker48
January 24, 2008 4:56 p.m.

The state needs to stop these sick plea deals and sentence these criminals to the fullest. Throw the book at them and be done with it. Shame on the state.

Meandmytwo
January 24, 2008 4:44 p.m.

I'm appalled. They killed four people for $170?

brassy
January 24, 2008 4:39 p.m.