ATLANTA — The trial of a man accused of raping, beating and assaulting women ended abruptly Tuesday afternoon when the defendant pleaded guilty and, as he said, took responsibility for his actions.
The court heard from a victim Tuesday, and it was after her testimony and a lunch break that defendant Terry Young decided to plead guilty.
Young terrorized women in an East Point townhome community for a week last September.
He faced a long list of crimes that include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and false imprisonment.
Young forced his victims to go to ATM retrieve money. Once the money retrieved, he forced them back to residence where he sexually assaulted them.
While the district attorney asked that life sentences on a number of the counts be considered, the defense argued upcharges on some counts because of media interest.
Before leaving the courtroom in handcuffs, Young addressed the court and his victims.
"Being 20 years old, I'm gonna be a man and take responsibility for my actions. You know, I'm not gonna cry cause I wasn't crying when I was in this situation. So I'm going to stand tall, keep my head up and just say sorry again ya'll ... my bad," Young said.
Young was sentenced to life in prison plus five years.