Facing the man convicted of killing their parents

LAWTON, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Monday saw an emotional day in court when convicted killer Ronald Spangler came face to face with the family of his victims, and continued to insist that he's not guilty.

There really was no question about what Spangler's sentence would be. A first degree murder conviction brings a mandatory life sentence in Michigan.

Spangler was convicted for breaking into Carl and Roberta Noble's home in Lawton in 2002, then robbing and killing them. Spangler then set the home on fire to try to cover up the crime.

Two other people are already in prison for their involvement in the crime. Michele Goggins was also convicted of murder, and another man is in prison for perjury.

Newschannel 3 was at the courthouse Monday when the Noble children faced their parents killer.

The outcome of the sentencing for Spangler may have been predetermined, but the family of Carl and Roberta Noble had to come to the court to see for themselves to make sure that Spangler got life without parole.

One by one, they came to the bench and railed at the man who took their parent's lives.

"You were it, you did it, so you take it to the court anyway you want to take it," said Karrie Noble.

"You couldn't even whip my mom and dad by yourself, you had to take two people with you," said Scott Noble.

They came to face down the man a jury found guilty of murder.

"I did not need a jury to convince me of your guilt, and if I had my way, your decaying carcass would be hanging from a noose in the oak tree of my backyard," said Sally Noble, Carl and Roberta's daughter-in-law.

Through the proceedings, Ronald Spangler wore a slight smile, but after seven years, watching him before a judge was enough for the family of Carl and Roberta.

"It's a good day for our family, we wanted justice for our parents, but most all, a hundred life sentences won't bring them back," said Scott Noble.

The family had already been through the trial of Michele Goggins, who was found guilty as co-conspirator, and they could have to go through yet another trial with alleged accomplish Timothy Andrews. However, it was Spangler who the Nobles really wanted brought to justice.

"I feel that Ron Spangler was the main instigator in this and I think that I've said this before, the State of Michigan and people in Van Buren County are a lot safer now with him behind bars," said Lawton Police Chief Tom Verburg.

None of Spangler's family said anything in his defense, and as he was lead away, it was clear that the Noble family saw justice.