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Richmond woman sees her father’s killer for the first time today

Posted at 9:57 PM, Mar 01, 2012
and last updated 2012-03-01 23:41:46-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) — Almost seven years ago Robert Rush was robbed at gunpoint and then shot and killed. Today his daughter saw her father’s killer for the first time.

“I mean, it`s hard to think of, you know,” said Angela Rush.

Her father, Robert Rush, was killed at Uppy’s convenience store when he was robbed at gunpoint.

His final moments were caught on tape.

“I mean, it killed me to see that…to see how brutal it was. It just rips your heart out,” she said.

Now, almost seven years later, justice banged the gavel.

Today in federal court the gunman Stephen White pleaded guilty to murder.

Angela was in the courtroom. She said it was the first time she had the strength to see her father’s murderer. She said she’s not angry, but just glad he’s getting the punishment he deserves.

“Yeah, that`s all I want,” she said.

On May 4, 2005, 53-year-old Robert Rush was the clerk on duty when White robbed the Uppy’s Convenience Store on Brook Road.  Rush gave White the cash, but White killed Rush anyway.

William Langley, Jr. was also arrested.

Both men were charged with armed robbery which resulted in death – a death penalty eligible crime under federal law.

The lawyers, with Angela’s consultation, agreed to a plea in exchange for life in prison.

“Death is pretty much over and done with,” said Angela. “With this they have to think about what they did for the rest of their lives.”

She said not a day goes by without thinking about her father.

“I`m just totally Daddy`s little girl. That`s the best way I can describe it. He was my best friend. We talked to him 20 times a day,” she said.

She said she remains strong because she remembers how much it bothered him to see her upset.

“He wouldn`t want me to do that. And, I pretty much live my life everyday like that,” said Angela.

White will be sentenced June 28. Angela said she will testify on that day on her father’s behalf.