Georgia man sentenced to life without parole in double killing

photo Daniel Densmore takes his seat during a hearing before Judge Cindy Morris in Whitfield County Superior Court on Friday afternoon. Densmore entered a guilty plea to the 2011 murders of Julious Wayne Smith and Krista Danae Babb, 14.

A 33-year-old man pleaded guilty today to killing his mentor and 14-year-old girl last year.

Daniel Densmore, of Tunnel Hill, Ga., stood before Judge Cindy Morris and gave a guilty plea on two counts of murder. Morris then sentenced him to life without parole.

The killings were in September at Julious Wayne Smith's home. Prosecutors said Densmore went to Smith's home in the morning and shot him with a .25-caliber pistol that Densmore bought earlier that morning at a flea market.

But authorities don't believe Densmore realized 14-year-old Krista Babb was also at the 61-year-old Smith's house. She was killed with one bullet and Smith was shot three times, said Conasauga District Attorney Bert Poston.

Authorities believe Densmore then left the house, bought gasoline then came back and set fire to the house to destroy the evidence.

Firefighters put out the flames and found the bodies.

Smith's family agreed to a plea deal, but Krista's older sister Seara Adair, objected, saying she wanted a jury trial so Densmore could face the death penalty.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.

Upcoming Events