About a month after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Savannah Gold, his Bonefish Grill co-worker, Lee Rodarte was sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison. AdRodarte kept his back turned to Gold’s family and wiped tears as he listened to Gold’s father talk about her lion’s heart. Her mother, Sharon Gold, said Gold spoke about the impact the number 21 has had on their family. She said 21 was the number Savannah wore in sports, 21 was tattooed on her arm and ’21 is the year her killer goes to prison. “To our family, extended family and community, our hearts have begun to heal because of your love and support,” Daniel Gold said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As his victim’s parents watched on a livestream feed, Lee Rodarte pleaded guilty Thursday, admitting that he killed his 21-year-old Bonefish Grill co-worker in 2017. Police later determined that she met with Rodarte the day before at the Bonefish Grill where the couple worked. AdThe trial judge first denied the petition, but Rodarte’s attorney appealed that ruling to the First District Court of Appeals. The case had been on hold since then, while the appeals court mulled over a ruling. The appeals court later sided with the initial judge’s ruling.

Lee Rodarte appeared in court Tuesday and agreed to plead guilty to charges of second-degree murder and evidence tampering in the death of Savannah Gold. Attorney Obinna Anum, not affiliated with the case, says the plea agreement is a win for Gold’s loved ones. The trial judge first denied the petition, but Rodarte’s attorney appealed that ruling to the First District Court of Appeals. The case had been on hold since then, while the appeals court mulled over a ruling. The appeals court later sided with the initial judge’s ruling.

Her step-grandmother began to paint the portrait before the 21-year-old was killed in 2017 and finished it after Savannah Gold was buried. Savannah Gold's parents, Daniel and Sherri God, have dozens of photos of special memories of their two children around the home. "As a father, I felt extreme loss, extreme anger and real down to the depth sorrow that my daughter is gone," Daniel Gold said. " "We are going to be there every step of the way ... because somebody has to represent Savannah," Daniel Gold said. In honor of their daughter, they plan to teach other young adults about the signs of domestic violence in hopes of saving someone else's life.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The trial of a Jacksonville man who claims self-defense in the killing of his on-again, off-again girlfriend has been placed on hold. Jury selection for Rodarte's trial was scheduled to begin on Monday. Now the trial must wait until the state makes a case explaining why Rodarte's petition should be denied. At first, Rodarte denied having anything to do with Gold's disappearance. "In pain and fearing imminent serious bodily harm, (Rodarte) grabbed Ms. Gold's neck in an effort to break her grip," the petition states, adding that he felt and heard Gold's neck pop during the struggle.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A judge on Tuesday denied a stand your ground petition for a Jacksonville man who claims he accidentally killed his on-again, off-again girlfriend in self-defense. Lee Rodarte, whos charged with murder in the 2017 killing of co-worker Savannah Gold, filed that petition last month, saying he believes he snapped Golds neck during a violent struggle as he tried to shove her out of his vehicle. Surveillance footage released as part of the discovery process shows Gold getting into Rodartes car outside the restaurant before she disappeared. While Rodarte at first denied having anything to do with Golds disappearance, police said he admitted killing her and then dumping her body. That information helped them recover Golds body from a Westside pond.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The man charged with murder in the 2017 killing of his on-again, off-again girlfriend was in court Thursday, where the medical examiner who completed the autopsy described his findings. Lee Rodarte claimed self defense in the death of his co-worker, Savannah Gold, who he worked with at Bonefish Grill in Mandarin. In a motion, he claimed Gold attacked him and he accidentally snapped the 21-year-old's neck while protecting himself. Rodarte claimed Gold was slapping him and grabbing his neck, when he grabbed her neck "in an effort to break her grip." The medical examiner was not able to determine a cause of death, but called it a "violent homicide."

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Jacksonville man charged with murder in the 2017 killing of his on-again, off-again girlfriend and co-worker now claims self-defense. Rodarte and Gold, who were dating at the time, both worked at the Bonefish Grill in Mandarin. Rodarte claims that during an argument, Gold was slapping him on his head. It says Gold continued slapping Rodarte on the head and that she grabbed Rodarte by the neck. According to the petition, "In pain and fearing imminent serious bodily harm, the defendant grabbed Ms. Gold's neck in an effort to break her grip."

The man accused of killing his co-worker now says it was self defense. This comes just a month before Lee Rodarte is set to stand trial in the death of Savannah Gold. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.