Garridos Plead Guilty To Jaycee Dugard Kidnapping, Rape
PLACERVILLE (CBS 5) - Phillip and Nancy Garrido have pled guilty to kidnapping Jaycee Lee Dugard and holding her captive for 18 years, according to the El Dorado County District Attorney's office.
The couple appeared Thursday morning in a hearing that was scheduled to accommodate the change in plea, according to attorney Stephen Tapson, who represents Nancy Garrido.
The Garridos were arrested 19 months ago for the alleged kidnapping of Dugard in 1991 near a South Lake Tahoe bus stop. In addition to kidnapping and false imprisonment, they have been charged with multiple counts of rape, lewd conduct with a minor and child pornography.
They pleaded guilty to all the charges except child pornography.
Nikki Medoro Reports for KCBS:
"I'm relieved that Phillip and Nancy Garrido have finally acknowledged their guilt and confessed to their crimes against me and my family," Dugard said in a statement released by her representative Aron Gerson.
Under the agreement, Phillip will spend his life in prison while Nancy will serve 25 years to life plus eleven years. He will be sentenced June 2 with a minimum of 431 year sentence, according to the district attorney's office.
Both defendants have waived their right to appeal, according to the district attorney's office.
"The enormity of the defendants' actions has caused tremendous pain and suffering to Jaycee, her mother Terry Probyn, and their family," a statement from District Attorney Vern Peirson said. "With a guilty plea by both defendants, Terry, Jaycee, and her children can now be spared the grief and trauma of having to be dragged into the court process and testify at a jury trial."
The Garridos kidnapped Dugard when she was 11, confined her to the backyard of the couple's Antioch home, which had been shielded by shrubbery and a false fence, and outfitted with tents and sheds.
While still a teenager, Dugard gave birth there to two daughters fathered by Phillip Garrido and delivered by Nancy Garrido. Dugard is now 30.
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