KATY, Texas – A man who was arrested in the deaths of his parents two years ago at their Katy home ago was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.
Ryan Walton was charged with two counts of murder in the May 2014 shooting deaths of Lynda and Michael Walton at their Lake Pointe Estates home.
After his arrest, Ryan Walton confessed to killing his parents, investigators said.
Wednesday, he waived his right to trial and accepted a plea agreement.
"He showed remorse by being sorry, expressed being sorry for what he had done and obviously accepts responsibility," said Walton's defense attorney Cary Faden.
Walton was estranged from his parents after a dispute and also had a history of mental illness.
"I think his mental health and history certainly played some role in his actions but I don't think it was an excuse or justification," said Fort Bend County prosecutor Amanda Bolin.
In victim impact statements Walton's grandmother said she forgave him. Other family members said they hope he realizes just how much hurt he has caused.
"His mom and dad were good people they were good parents and they loved their kids and they died protecting their son because they were afraid to call the police and seek help," said his maternal aunt Marcella Brown
A judge sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole.