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‘Some Sense of Relief’: Ronald Mann Pleads Guilty to Murder, Expected to Face Life Without Parole

BY SARAH STEPHENS

ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS

Photo above: Mugshot from Elmore County Jail of Ronald Jason Mann shortly after his arrest in 2018.

Mann’s Accomplice: Troy Carter was just 16 in 2018 when he admits he was involved in crimes that led to the death of Davon “Shorty” Waldrep. He was charged with felony murder as an adult.

Nothing will bring back Davon “Shorty” Waldrep of Elmore County, but family members present and watching through a Zoom video felt some sense of justice after a murderer pled guilty earlier today in Elmore County.

Waldrep was just acting as a “Good Samaritan” on that September day in 2018, according to Chief Assistant District Attorney C.J. Robinson.

Waldrep had no idea that the strangers, a man and young boy that had just been in an accident near his home in Elmore, were actually trying to escape sheriff’s deputies that were hot on their trail. All Waldrep knew was the two appeared to be injured, so he approached them offering help. What he got in return was multiple stab wounds by Mann, and the two suspects, Mann and then 16-year-old Troy Carter, took his cell phone and attempted to steal his truck. They left Waldrep on the ground, as they fled.

Waldrep was taken to an area hospital but died almost a month later from wounds in the savage attack.

Mann spoke before Judge Sibley Reynolds at the Elmore County courthouse, admitting to his part in the crime, but offering no explanation in open court.

The plea agreement allows Mann to spend the rest of his life in prison, without the possibility of parole. His accomplice, Troy, also entered into a plea agreement prior to today to felony murder, that could have him facing 20 years in prison, as he was charged as an adult. Carter was not in the courtroom Thursday. Both will be officially sentenced at a later, as yet undetermined, date.

Carter had previously signed a plea agreement with the Elmore County DA’s office, agreeing to testify against Mann if the case went to trial. However, since Mann pled guilty, there was no trial. Robinson said the DA’s office will honor the guilty plea agreement, but the sentencing will be handed down by Judge Reynolds at a later date.

Family members and friends remember “Shorty” as a gentle giant, who was always ready to step up and offer help to someone in need. “Shorty” served in the U.S. Army in the first Gulf War and was a mechanic.

Family and friends have stressed they do not want their loved one to be remembered only for how he died, but that he was a kind man, a loyal friend, and on the day of his encounter with Mann and Carter, he truly believed he was just helping people in need.

Davon “Shorty” Waldrep died as a result of a vicious attack by Ronald Jason Mann after he stopped to help after what he perceived as a wreck with injuries. Family members want him to be remembered as a gentle giant, a loyal friend who would always offer help to someone in need. He also served in the military during the first Gulf War and was a mechanic.

During the court proceeding it was confirmed Mann has an extensive criminal history, to include other felonies not related to this particular crime.

That fact did upset family members, some who were present for the proceeding, and others who were watching through live video.

“I just don’t understand how (Mann) kept getting out of jail over and over, and because of that he took a life,” a family member told the EAN before court Thursday.

Another family member told the EAN, “This isn’t going to bring him back, but at least there is some sense of relief that (Mann) will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Both Mann and Carter have remained in jail since they were captured after their crimes that day in 2018.

According to Elmore County Sheriff Franklin, who we spoke with in an earlier story, the incidents leading up to the stabbing of “Shorty” started earlier in the day. Mann and Carter had stolen a car from a couple they knew, forcing them to go with them to a nearby store. They forced the couple to take money from an ATM at a convenience store in Elmore. The couple was later released by Mann and Carter.

But as Mann and Carter left the store, they wrecked a short time later, disabling the vehicle. Shorty lived near the crash site and immediately drove to offer aid.

After “Shorty” died, charges for Mann were upgraded to Capital Murder, as the death came about as part of another crime, that being robbery. Carter faced a felony murder charge because he was involved in the robbery that led to “Shorty’s” death.

Chief Assistant DA Robinson said that the family now has some type of closure, with the guilty plea.

Mann originally had additional charges shortly after the stabbing incident, to include two counts of robbery, reckless driving and driving without a license.”

“We did drop those charges, but they would not have added time to his life without parole,” Robinson said. “There is comfort knowing that he will never breathe outside a prison cell ever again. I think that was the family’s biggest relief. This is not something where there is a hope of appeal or a hope of overturning a conviction. He is there.”

We will update with a story once a sentencing date is set.