A nationwide manhunt now underway for a Georgia man accused of killing his own mother.
U.S. Marshals now searching for Richard Merritt after they say he stabbed his own mother to death, stole her car and went on the run.
Merritt is a disgraced lawyer, recently sentenced to 15 years behind bars for defrauding the elderly.
U.S. Marshals say Merritt cut off his ankle bracelet before allegedly killing his mother.
“The vehicle he may be driving is a 2009 silver Lexus RX350, bearing a Georgia tag CBV 6004,” the US Marshal Service’s statement reads. “He may have shaved his head or otherwise changed his appearance and should be considered armed and dangerous. Do not try to engage him. If you see Merritt, please contact law enforcement immediately.”
Now many of Merritt’s former clients, those that testified against him in his recent court case, are worried for their own safety.
“There’s somebody out there who has nothing to lose and they are the most dangerous people,” one former client said.
The Cobb County district attorney says Merritt was allowed to wear that ankle monitor because he was originally convicted of non-violent crimes.
He is now charged with murder and could face the death penalty.
