Second Suspect Pleads Guilty to Brutal Nelson Co. Murder

Back to HomePage

Updated: 6:49 PM Jul 19, 2011

Christopher Meeks, the second man charged in connection to the brutal stabbing death of 73-year-old Opal Page, entered a guilty plea Tuesday to capital murder, breaking and entering and robbery. He will serve three consecutive life terms.

Posted: 2:39 PM Jul 19, 2011
Reporter: Frankie Jupiter
Email Address: frankie.jupiter@newsplex.com

width:320 and height: 240 and picwidth: 213 and pciheight: 159

Font Size:

July 19, 2011

Christopher Meeks followed in the footsteps of his co-defendant and pleaded guilty Tuesday to capital murder, breaking and entering and robbery in connection to the brutal death of Opal Page.

By reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors, the Shipman resident avoids a possible death sentence. Instead, he will serve three consecutive life terms.

Opal Page's family were in the courtroom and cried as the sentenced was handed down. When asked if he had any comments for the family, Meeks told them, "I wish I can take it all back, but I can't. I'm sorry."

Meeks was one of two men charged with killing Page, a 73-year-old retired teacher's aide, in her home in May 2009.

The other defendant, 22-year-old Austin Griffin pleaded guilty on July 14 to the same three charges in the stabbing death and was also sentenced to three consecutive life terms.

Defense attorney Dave Heilberg says Tuesday's ruling is a loss for both families.

"The young man, despite doing the worst thing that anybody could do, had a lot of redeeming features. So several lives were ended or ruined by the entire event," Heilberg said.

Griffin and Meeks were arrested in 2009 and originally charged with first-degree murder, which was later upgraded to capital murder in May 2010.

Authorities found Page's body in her Rockfish Valley Highway home on May 6, 2009 after friends reported she had missed a lunch date.

An autopsy revealed she was stabbed 26 times.

Latest Comments

Posted by: interested party on Jul 21, 2011 at 08:07 AM

I can't see where anyone has been hateful here. Just stating the facts. It's all very tragic for all parties concerned. Our family will feel the effects of this our entire lives. Our faith and trust has truly been tested.

Posted by: interested party on Jul 21, 2011 at 08:04 AM

appeals are very unlikely in a plea aggreement, that right is basically forfeited. I agree with Doc's statements, they are very accurate. They will probably go to Red Onion or Wallens after being accepted into the system. May be 30 days or so.

Posted by: Nelsonian Location: Nelson County on Jul 19, 2011 at 09:12 PM

This is just so sad, a sweet innocent loving woman who would have given them whatever they asked for is taken away before her time. Opal was such a dear woman who is greatly missed by family, friends, co-workers, & the children whose lives she touched. Two young men have also lost their lives as a result of substance abuse & impulseive thoughts & actions. Hopefully they will recieve successful substance abuse counseling in prison, so many inmates don't recieve the help they need to overcome their addictions How sad for their parents & sibblings who are also suffering a loss. How sad for the entire community; family & friends, co-workers, neighbors, rescue personel, & police who had to clean up after these tortured souls reeked havoc on a peaceful community one quiet dark night. May God bless all who have been effected by this tragedy.

Click here to post or read all 8 comments.

Live News	Weather Now	Desktop Alert
Mobile	iPhone App	Text Alerts
Facebook	Twitter	YouTube