GEORGETOWN, SC – A Georgetown man will spend the remainder of his life in prison after being convicted of fatally shooting his former girlfriend and his longtime friend in a 2022 double homicide that stunned the local community.

A jury on Monday found Ronnie Todd Jr., 45, guilty of the murders of 30-year-old Emily Richitelli and 44-year-old John Altman, following a weeklong trial that examined his motives, actions, and chilling threats in the days leading up to the slayings. Circuit Court Judge Michael G. Nettles sentenced Todd to two life terms, underscoring the severity of the crimes.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that Todd’s resentment spiked dramatically after his breakup with Richitelli, particularly when she began dating Altman — a man Todd had once considered a close friend. Overwhelmingly incriminating, a series of threatening text messages revealed Todd’s escalating anger and intent, which prosecutors used to build their case.

Text messages sent by Todd to acquaintances foreshadowed the violence. In these messages, Todd made explicit references to killing and appeared consumed by jealousy and betrayal. Prosecutors emphasized that these messages showcased a clear premeditation, dispelling any notion that the killings were a spontaneous act.

The events reached a tragic climax in the early morning hours of July 21, 2022. Investigators said Todd entered the Georgetown residence where Richitelli and Altman were staying and opened fire. Both victims died at the scene.

A crucial witness to the crime was Altman’s nine-year-old son, who was present in the home at the time of the shootings. The boy testified that he recognized Todd’s voice, recounting in harrowing detail how he heard his father shouting “Ron” before multiple gunshots rang out. He later sought help by running to a neighbor’s house, telling them his father had been shot.

Altman’s son’s identification of Todd as the shooter became pivotal. He provided dispatchers with a name while neighbors called for emergency assistance, which prosecutors said left little doubt about the perpetrator’s identity.

Testimonies during the trial shed light on the lives upended by the violence. Richitelli, a mother of a teenage son, had been rebuilding her life following struggles with addiction. Family members remembered her determination and hard work to provide for her child, recounting their final moments together with bittersweet emotion.

Altman, remembered by his children for his unwavering support, was mourned as a dedicated father. During court proceedings, one daughter addressed Todd directly, sharing her loss and the void left by her father’s absence.

The verdict and sentencing come as a stark reminder of the devastation wrought by domestic violence and unresolved anger. Both families now face the enduring impacts of the tragedy, as the quiet town grapples with the loss of two community members whose lives were cut short.