Anderson Man pleads guilty to shooting Woman

Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams reports that shortly before opening arguments began, Robert Rampolla pled guilty in Anderson General Sessions Court to shooting Theresa Williams. The Honorable Donald Hocker sentenced Rampolla to 10 years for voluntary manslaughter and 5 years for the possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The sentences are to be served concurrently. Due to the advanced age of the defendant, Judge Hocker stated that even a 10-year sentence was essentially a death sentence. Rampolla is 77 years old. On Aug. 7, 2013, Rampolla and his girlfriend, Theresa Williams, were sitting in his van in the parking lot of the Little General on Anderson Street. A witness, who knew both, heard two shots while she was inside the store. When the witness went outside, she saw Rampolla and Williams in the van. The witness then called 911. When EMS and law enforcement arrived, they found Rampolla had shot himself in the face and Williams had died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. Rampolla confessed to officers prior to his arrest.