A man who went on a murder and robbery spree in 2013, including killing a 10-year-old boy, pleaded guilty Thursday morning to a slew of charges stemming from the three-week crime wave.
Anthawn Ragan Jr., 31, was soft spoken as he entered the guilty plea before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez. After the spontaneous plea, Ragan rubbed his head with his hands, which were handcuffed.
Ragan is still facing the death penalty for gunning down 10-year-old Aaron Vu during a robbery of his parents’ nail salon in northwest Miami-Dade in 2013. In Thursday’s hearing, Ragan waived his right to have a jury decide his fate, opting instead for a judge to do so, an unusual move for a defendant facing execution.
Ragan’s first-degree murder trial for the child’s death was slated to begin in late January. It is now expected to start Feb. 9…