Man sentenced in Scott County beating death case

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (WTVQ) – A man accused in the 2010 beating death of a retired school bus driver was sentenced Thursday after entering an Alford plea, according to the Georgetown News-Graphic.

An Alford plea means the accused doesn’t admit guilt, but acknowledges there’s enough evidence for a conviction.

Nicholas “Nic” Willinger was arrested in February of 2014 in connection to the murder of Sue Jones.  Police say Willinger went to Jones’ home to steal money and beat her to death when she confronted him.

Scott Circuit Judge Brian K. Privet sentenced Willinger to 20-years on the murder charge and 10-years each on robbery and burglary charges, according to the newspaper report.

The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 20-years with five-years credit for time already served, according to the report.

“You completely destroyed our whole family,” said Gail Jones to Willinger before the formal sentencing, according to the newspaper.  Gail Jones is the victim’s daughter.

In a separate case, Willinger was sentenced to 15-years in prison in July of this year after pleading guilty to receiving child pornography, according to court records.