Man Pleads Guilty to Norman Murder, Gets Life

Associated Press

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- A drifter accused of fatally shooting a single mother he met through a telephone dating service has pleaded guilty as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Cleveland County court records show Tony Benae Smith Jr., entered the plea to first-degree murder on Feb. 17 in the death of Donna Riles.

Smith's attorney, David Smith, says his client will serve life sentences for murder and robbery.

Authorities say Riles' then 12-year-old daughter called police Feb. 11, 2008, and said she had found her mother shot inside their central Norman home. She said the only other person there at the time was a man later identified as Tony Smith, who drove away in Riles' vehicle.

Riles invited Smith to live with her just days after meeting him on a chat line.