In the spring of 1992, a tragedy unfolded in Cobb County, Georgia, that cut short the life of a promising young man. Charles 'Chet' Planchard, a 16-year-old White male, was diligently working his shift at a Burger King on March 21st. A student at Wheeler High School and a three-sport athlete, he had taken the part-time job to save money for a car. His life, however, came to an abrupt and violent end when a customer entered the restaurant, not for a meal, but with robbery in mind.
The
individual, later identified as Ronald Freeman, approached the counter and placed an order. As Chet opened the cash register to make change, Freeman fatally shot him without making any demand for money. The young cashier died clutching the $2 he had just been handed, a child's toy also found in his pocket. Freeman then stole money from the register and fled the scene, leaving a community in shock and a family devastated by the senseless loss of their son and brother.
The murder of Chet Planchard was not an isolated incident but part of a crime spree that terrorized Cobb County for over two months. Freeman's violent rampage between January 20 and March 31, 1992, resulted in the deaths of three other individuals. Investigators were able to link Freeman to the string of robberies and murders, and he was apprehended after being shot in the leg by police while attempting to escape.
Ronald Freeman, who was 21 at the time of the killings, was ultimately brought to justice. For the murder of Chet Planchard and the other victims, he was tried and convicted. In the 1995 trial for Chet's shooting, Freeman narrowly avoided the death penalty when a single juror held out. He was sentenced to life in prison for each of the murders. In the years that have followed, the family of Chet Planchard has continued to honor his memory, organizing vigils and advocating against any potential release of his killer.
