Edward Ryals Jr.A 21-year-old Chattanooga man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Thursday for his role in a 2011 drive-by shooting death.
Edward Ryals Jr. was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the death of Ronald Blackmon.
Ryals’ father, mother and other relatives were in court for the hearing. Courtroom deputies allowed the family to hug and say goodbye to Ryals before taking him back to the jail.
Standing in a red jumpsuit, his hands shackled at the wrists, Ryals repeated, “Stop crying, momma.”
After the hearing his father, Edward Ryals, said that the family supported his son and he would have work for him when he returned home.