ICARD, N.C. — Family members of a murder victim and the suspect hugged each other Monday after a judge sentenced him 20 years in prison for what happened at a home in Icard.
The murder in 2018 stunned the community.
Robin Teague was found beaten to death at her Icard home. Prosecutors said Teague’s daughter found her underneath a bookcase. The daughter said a man she didn’t know quickly left the house after striking her with a broom.
Investigators said the killing was one of the worst they’ve seen.
Teague was beaten and traumatized. The bookcase was then thrown on top of her.
Surveillance cameras captured images of the suspect’s truck leaving the area.
Josh Beard was later arrested in Myrtle Beach.
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Prosecutors said nail scrapings from Teague linked Beard to the crime through DNA evidence. Teague’s daughter, Amelia Peacock, fought back tears while holding a Bible in court.
While addressing the judge, Peacock turned to talk directly to Beard’s family and told them she was praying for them.
“There is no comfort I can give you,” Peacock said. “All I can do is love you in the best way I can.”
The family still questioned why Beard killed Teague.
Beard’s attorney, Lisa Dubs, said he had mental health issues.
“He was self-medicating with narcotics as well, and I think that was just a horrible combination on this occasion,” Dubs said.
Nearly all of Teague’s family wore the same shirts Monday in court.
After the sentencing, her family hugged Beard’s family.
Breaking Burke- Josh Beard is pleading guilty to 2nd degree murder in the beating death of Robin Teague. Teague’s family is wearing shirts with her name on it and also holding photos of Robin. Watch channel 9 news at 5pm for the story. pic.twitter.com/YONJ8LgCNy
— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) June 7, 2021
“I wish she could have been here to see me get my driver’s license, graduate high school and start college,” said Kayla Weinbarger, Teague’s granddaughter. “I wish she could have been here to see me get married and see my future children that would have loved her because everyone did.”
The judge used the word “horrendous” to describe the murder before sentencing Beard to 20 years of prison time in a negotiated plea deal.
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