JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man convicted of murder Thursday in the death of his ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Christina “Ashlee” Rucker, now faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, the State Attorney’s Office said.
Chad Absher, 37, was also found guilty of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of Rucker’s sister, Lisa Rucker.
Lisa Rucker, who survived the double shooting at a condo on San Juan Avenue on Oct. 31, 2017, shared her reaction to the verdict.
“I’m happy, and I’m excited that the jury saw the truth and didn’t believe the crazy story he told,” Lisa Rucker said.
Absher was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, and after the jury left the courtroom to deliberate his fate Thursday afternoon, he changed his plea to guilty for that charge only.
MORE: Man accused of killing ex-girlfriend in 2017 double shooting found guilty of first-degree murder
Hours before the verdict was announced, Absher took the stand in his defense to argue that he did not shoot anyone, claiming that Ashlee turned the rifle on herself.
The evidence, however, did not support his claims.
“I just don’t know how he thought that would have made sense. Science would show you it’s impossible,” Lisa Rucker said.
After the verdict was read, Absher did not show any emotion inside the courtroom. Instead, he appeared to blow a kiss toward the victims’ family members.
“I thought I couldn’t be any more disgusted until I saw that, and then him blowing a kiss at the end. He’s just a monster,” said Brittaini Stalvey, a close friend of Ashlee’s.
While Lisa Rucker is thankful that justice was served, she can’t help but remember what she lost.
“She was my big sister, so she was someone that was always there for me,” Lisa Rucker said. “That’s what I miss most. My sister’s birthday is Saturday, and we have a great gift to give her -- even if she’s not here with us.”
Lisa had these words for Absher:
“I just want to let him know that he took my sister, but it wasn’t just a sister, he took a mother. He changed everybody’s lives by taking her. He changed my life by nearly killing me. However, the evidence has proven him to be guilty. There’s no way he can deny it more,” Rucker said.
Absher is scheduled to return to court in November when his sentencing hearing will be scheduled. Again, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.