Man pleads guilty in Douglas County party death

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — One of the men accused of beating an 18-year-old to death at a house party has pleaded guilty to murder and waived his right to a trial by jury.

A judge accepted Emanuel Boykins' plea Tuesday afternoon and sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Boykins is one of four people accused of beating Bobby Tillman to death outside a Douglasville home in November 2010.

The district attorney had intended to seek the death penalty against Boykins and Tracen Franklin in Tillman's death.

Prosecutors said Boykins led an angry mob toward Tillman, an innocent bystander, after a fight broke out at a house party.

The beating was so violent that Tillman's heart was punctured by a broken rib.

"I'd like to apologize to Ms. Rivarde (Tillman's mother) and her family for my actions. I take full responsibility for my actions," Boykins said it court on Tuesday.

Monique Rivarde said she is not ready to accept the apology.

"I saw shame, guilt, remorse. A lot of people are sorry, I just wish he would have had those same feelings the night he killed Bobby," Rivarde said.

Horace Coleman and Quantez Mallory are also charged with murder, but face life in prison if convicted.

Check back with WSBTV.com and watch Channel 2 Action News at 6 p.m. for live updates on this developing story.

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