Colorado Springs LGBTQ club shooter sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty
The suspect accused of shooting and killing five people at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado last year was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty.
Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, pleaded guilty to five counts of murder and 46 counts of attempted murder for the deadly shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs.
Aldrich also pleaded no contest to two counts of hate crimes. He could still potentially face federal hate crime charges after the Justice Department completes an investigation.
The shooter was originally charged with over 300 criminal counts, which included murder, attempted murder, assault, and hate crimes.
After seven months of negotiations, defense attorneys reached a plea agreement with District Attorney Michael Allen’s office.
The agreement sentences Aldrich to serve five consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
The 46 charges for attempted murder reflect one for each of person inside Club Q when the shooting occurred. According to the plea agreement, Aldrich will serve 46 consecutive 48-year sentences for each charge.
‘Is this in fact the plea agreement you wish to enter in to?’ Judge Michael McHenry asked the suspected shooter at the arraignment on Monday.
‘Yes, your honor,’ Aldrich answered.
‘Tell me, in your own words, what it is you did that makes you feel that you are guilty of these crimes,’ the judge asked the suspect.
‘I intentionally and after deliberation caused the death of each victim,’ Aldrich said.
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