A 24-year-old man accused in the November 2008 murder of Mason Elementary school teacher Rebecca Pruitt changed his initial plea of not guilty to guilty Tuesday in the Jones County Circuit Court in Laurel.

Ricky Gavin’s guilty plea was described as a “cowardly” act by Pruitt’s father, the Rev. Ron McLain, who serves as a missionary in Europe.

“What I see here today is not what I expected I would see today,” he told Gavin. “I expected to see a big, robust man standing before me. What I see is the biggest coward in this court room.”

McLain told Gavin that his guilty plea comes only because Gavin is afraid of the justice system. He added that Gavin is afraid because now he is not in control of things like he thought he was when he killed his daughter.

“You heard her (Pruitt) cry,” added McLain. “You saw death when you stabbed her in the back 18 times. That’s why you are afraid to face death.”

Gavin and 17-year-old accomplice, Kenya Davis, were charged with killing Pruitt in her home on Thanksgiving weekend a year ago. District Attorney Tony Buckley said if the case would have gone to trial, prosecutors would have shown that Gavin and Davis went to Pruitt’s home to steal her plasma TV and money.

He added that evidence would show that Pruitt was stabbed 18 times in the back, and her purse, cell phone, and car were stolen. The suspects also poured gasoline on the woman and tried to set her house on fire.  

Buckley said he was prepared to seek the death penalty in the case, but since Gavin agreed to plead guilty to capital murder, he recommended that the court sentence Gavin to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Davis pleaded guilty to the charge in August and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.  

Pruitt’s parents, Ron and Renee McLain, and husband, Kenneth, agreed to Gavin’s plea deal saying it was in the best interest of the family.

“The reason we are agreeing to this is not because you deserve mercy, but to bring about some closure for our family,” said Ron McLain. “It’s hard to define closure knowing that she (Rebecca) was murdered.”

McLain told Gavin that at one time he asked for just five minutes in the cell with him. “I wanted to take care of the situation then and there,” he said, looking Gavin in the eyes. “Right now I pity you.

“You’re here for the court to show mercy. I pray that God will.”

McLain ridiculed Gavin for not showing any type of remorse, nor apologizing for murdering his daughter. He also scolded him for speaking so low Judge Billy Joe Landrum had to ask him to speak up. He wondered what happened to the “big, bad, dude” that killed his daughter.

Following McLain’s remarks, Landrum asked Gavin was he saying he is now guilty of the murder of the death of Rebecca Pruitt.

“I feel responsible,” replied Gavin.

“That’s not good enough,” said the judge. “The question is are you guilty?”

Gavin’s response: “Yes, Sir.”

Before sentencing Gavin, Landrum asked Gavin if he had something he wanted to say. Gavin responded, “Yes, Sir,” and turned to face Pruitt’s family.

“To Mr. McLain,” Gavin said before being interrupted by McLain, who proclaimed he didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.

Landrum called for order and explained to McLain that Gavin had the right to speak whether he wanted to hear him or not.

“Mr. McLain, although you feel like what I say is not true, I want to thank you for accepting my plea,” said Gavin. “I decided to enter a guilty plea because I feel that I was responsible for what happened to your daughter.

“I did not stab her and I did not pour gasoline on her and set her on fire. I said I am guilty because I feel like I cannot get a fair trial here in Jones County.”

Pruitt’s sister, Karen McLain yelled out in anger against what Gavin had to say, causing Landrum to make a call for order. “This is a dignified court of law,” he said. “The court asked him to respond. You had your opportunity to respond earlier.”

After hearing from Gavin, Landrum accepted the prosecutors recommendation and sentenced Gavin to life without parole.

Gavin’s attorney, Alison Steiner of Jackson, said she is “very grateful that the McLain and Pruitt families chose to show mercy. I hope they will find peace and closure.”

Steiner added that what Gavin was trying to say in the court room was that he was an accomplice in the murder and did not kill Pruitt. “He is deeply sorry that this happened to their daughter. He believes his actions are what caused it to happen.”

Buckley said the day was an emotional one for all involved. He said he understood Gavin’s desire to say that he did not murder Pruitt, but the fact remains she is now dead. “Even if he didn’t stab her, he is responsible.

“It’s just like murdering someone with a gun. It doesn’t matter who pulled the trigger. If you are there and involved in the crime, you are just as guilty as the one pulling the trigger.”

Buckley said Gavin’s guilty plea ends a year of hard work.

“Again we heard some very emotional and powerful statements from the victim’s family,” he said. “I hope I never have to go through anything like this again.”