Texas man gets life term for killing woman, son

West Texas man sentenced to life in prison for 2011 deaths of woman, son in money dispute

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Published On: Nov 06 2012 02:44:02 PM CST

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2011 killing of a woman and her son in a money dispute.

Casey Ledbetter on Monday pleaded guilty to capital murder in a plea agreement in Lubbock. His wife, Meredith Ledbetter, pleaded guilty last month to her role in the slayings and was also sentenced to life in prison.

Prosecutors say the couple from Lubbock had lured 49-year-old Joanie Parker by saying her son owed them money and she needed to pay them $4,000.

Parker's body was discovered May 24, 2011, near Idalou. She had been shot. The stabbed and beaten body of 26-year-old Derek Hale was located three days later on the same property.

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