Court Appearance Set For Craig County Man Charged With 4 Murders

The man accused of killing four people in Welch back in 1999 was back in a Craig County courtroom Friday.

Ronnie Busick is the only living suspect in the years-long investigation of the deaths of Danny, Kathy and Ashley Freeman, as well as Ashley’s friend Lauria Bible.

Prosecutors say on December 30th, 1999, Danny and Kathy Freeman were found shot dead in their mobile home in Welch. The Freeman's 16-year-old daughter Ashley and her 16-year-old friend Lauria have been missing ever since.

Busick, 66, has been charged with seven different charges, including murder, kidnapping and arson. He says he has no idea where the bodies are and has denied any role in the girl’s deaths.

5/2/2018 Related Story: Family Of Missing Craig County Girls Question Why Arrest Took So Long

The court appearance Friday lasted about 10 minutes - long enough for some of Lauria Bible's family members to see him face-to-face.

Busick did not say anything out loud for everyone in court to hear but did speak with his attorneys as they huddled around him.

Lauria's mother, Lorene, who sat down and spoke with Busick soon after he got to the Craig County jail, says they made eye contact again today in court.

"We knew ahead of time it could last five seconds, it could last five minutes or it could be more," she said. "I just want him to know I'm standing here, I'm watching you. Every day you're here, I'm gonna be here."

Busick's next court date is set for July 13th.

Two other men, Warren Phillip Welch II and David Pennington were also implicated in the deaths but died before Busick was arrested.