Man on Trial for Killing the Hit Man He Hired to Kill His Family
Prosecutors say a Kentucky man hired a hit man to kill his family, and then killed the hit man so he wouldn't have to pay for the job.
Ryan Champion, 36, was indicted Wednesday for his involvement in the deaths of his mother, father, and sister—and the man he allegedly paid to kill them, 22-year-old Vito Riservato.
At first, it seemed like Champion had narrowly escaped death himself. Per the initial WSMV report on the murders:
Ryan Champion, 36, survived the shooting. He and his sister, Emily Champion, were in town Sunday visiting their parents. Emily was spending time with her family before starting a new job in November, Ryan said.
The Champions had just returned from church that morning. Ryan said because of the ongoing investigation, he can only share certain details of what happened inside the house. But according to Ryan, he was the only person who walked out alive after Riservato came to the home.
Riservato briefly met the victims last week, according to Tfc. Jay Thomas, a spokesman for the Kentucky State Police.
"It was a very short relationship, that's all I can say," Ryan said.
The man added he wishes he intervened sooner. He said he believes Riservato spared him because he was not considered a threat.
"I was able to turn the tables on him. He got close enough to me that I could turn the tables, and that was it," Ryan said. "Every minute the entire thing was going on, that's all I was waiting for. I was waiting for an opportunity."
Ryan was released from the hospital Sunday. He was uninjured.
He said it pains him to return to the crime scene that was once his home.
"That's where I grew up. That's my home," he said."When I see certain things around the house, I can still see mom and dad."
Champion, who later discussed needing money online, was arrested four days after the shooting. Prosecutors said they intend to seek the death penalty.They have not speculated on Champion's motive for killing his family.
[image via NBC-WSMV]