Samuel Rich accepts plea, 99-year sentence in 2021 slaying of TN state rep's nephew in Nashville

Friday was an emotional day in court for Tennessee Rep. Todd Warner and his family.

Samuel Earl Rich, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting Warner's nephew in 2021, accepted a plea deal with a 99-year sentence attached.

"I thought I could hold back my tears today, and I couldn't do it," Todd Warner told The Tennessean. "Just seeing your family in pain like that really hurts. I'm not sure there was a dry eye in there."

James William Warner, who went by Will, was 22 when he died.

Rich fatally shot Will Warner on Aug. 12, 2021, in Nashville and stole his cash, his ID and his Jeep, court records showed. The young man's body was found by a Metro Water crew near the 400 block of 35th Avenue North. Officials believe he was driven to the area, shot multiple times and left in the street.

From 2021:Tennessee judge's son charged in West Nashville shooting death of state representative's nephew

Rich went on to shoot James Warner's girlfriend, Gracie Perryman, in Shelbyville early the next morning, officials said. Perryman was critically wounded, but survived. Rich was placed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's most wanted list and ultimately arrested on Aug. 15, 2021.

Rich, who is the son of Bedford County General Sessions Court Judge Charles L. Rich, was later sentenced to 59 years in prison for Perryman's shooting. He will serve both sentences concurrently, without parole.

As part of the deal, Rich pleaded guilty to second-degree murder — a step down from his initial first-degree murder charge — with a 50-year sentence, and to especially aggravated robbery, with a 49-year sentence.

Several other charges against Rich, including felony murder and a theft and weapon possession charge, were dismissed, records show.

Uncle: 'The justice system failed us'

Todd Warner said that Rich and his nephew grew up together in Shelbyville and attended the same schools, but that the two were never friends. Rich was out of prison on parole when the shootings occurred.

Todd Warner believes if Tennessee's truth in sentencing bill, passed last year, had been in place then, it would have kept Rich in prison and away from the Warner family.

"The justice system failed us," Todd Warner said. "He'd made numerous threats to the family. He made threats he was going to kill them all. I honestly believe that, had he had the chance, he would've done it."

He also hoped Rich would go to trial and face the death penalty.

Still, Todd Warner said he's just happy his family has closure and that his nephew's killer will be behind bars without a chance for parole.

"The world is a better place with him locked up now," he said.

Todd Warner said that his nephew went out of his way to help others, including paying bills for several months to support a friend's mom. He said victim impact statements read by the Warner family in court Friday reflected his character and kindness, along with the grief and trauma they've endured.

"He was a very caring young man," Todd Warner said. "The family greatly appreciates all the prayers and support that's been given us over the last few years."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Will Warner murder: Man accepts plea in 2021 murder of TN rep's nephew