VALDOSTA — Accused Valdosta murderer Antoni “Snapper” Tippins changed his plea from not guilty to guilty Tuesday during his trial.

In return, prosecutors agreed to reduce the murder charge to voluntary manslaughter.  Tippins was charged in the 2013 death of Jarid Little.

Tippins was then sentenced to 15 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and the time he’s served since he surrendered in March 2014 will be applied to sentence. He also will receive 10 years probation for the aggravated assault charge, to be served concurrently.

Tippins must pay $4,000 restitution to the family of Jarid Little for his funeral.

Tippins’ family members said they were happy with the plea decision, but the victim’s family members were extremely upset with what they thought was a light sentence, according to a report by WALB.

Valdosta Police began looking for Tippins, then 31, in July of 2013, when they suspected him of gunning down Jarid Little, 24, outside the Gordon Food Mart.
He was also charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon for firing a weapon at an occupied vehicle under an overpass on July 30, 2013.