BECKLEY, W.Va. — The sentence for a Raleigh County man in a murder case is life without mercy.
Ronald McClung, 41, of Beckley, will spend the rest of his life behind bars following the sentencing handed down by Raleigh County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Dimlich Tuesday.
McClung originally plead guilty on February 7, 2023 to the first-degree murder of Tonya Adkins in August of 2021.
The Beckley Police Department received a missing person report for Tonya Adkins on August 18, 2021. Adkins’ body was recovered from a wooded area near New River Drive in Beckley a few weeks later on September 8.
Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Parsons said the no mercy clause was right for someone who apparently showed no remorse.
“I don’t think the defendant was sorry for what he did, I think he was sorry that he got caught,” Parsons said.
McClung reportedly asked for mercy but Judge Dimilich agreed with Parsons. McClung was facing 15 years to life.
“In the realm of criminal prosecution for murder, this is as much justice as you can get,” said Parsons.