By Libby Dowsett/ KTVL.com

MEDFORD, Ore. -- The family of a California man who was murdered by Robert Acremant is speaking out publicly for the first time since their son and brother was murdered nearly two decades ago.

Acremant is an infamous name in the Rogue Valley, 17 years ago this month Acremant kidnapped and murdered two Medford women: Michele Abdill and Roxanne Ellis.  Acremant also admitted to killing Scott George in Visalia two months earlier.  He was sentenced to death in both Oregon and California.

George’s family was shocked to find out that Acremant is now off Death Row in Oregon, because Acremant claims to hear voices in his head and has been deemed unfit to help in his own appeals process.  The George’s were not notified.  They found out about the commuted sentence by reading it online.

Scott George’s father Art was shocked again when he turned on the television and saw the story of his family’s tragedy play-out on national television.  He says it is a story that just won’t go away. “I feel it everyday.  Everyday,” says George.

Years after Scott’s grisly death at the hands of Robert Acremant, the Investigation Discovery Channel is airing an episode on Acremant’s murderous spree that spread from California to Medford. Scott’s father turned on the TV, and it all came flooding back. “To let this person be breathing air that my boy should be breathing, is not fair,” George says. “He planned for two and a half months to kill both of us that night, but he got my boy instead of me.”

Scott and his sister Wendy were inseparable ever since their mother walked out when they were little.  Wendy says they were so close, they were like best friends.  When her father called to tell her Scott was missing, Wendy says she had a sudden vision of her brother.

“I saw my brother in a white t-shirt, jean shorts and tennis shoes with blood coming from his head. Before I got off the phone with my dad, I said ‘Scott’s gone, we’re never going to see him again,” says Wendy.
Scott’s family was friends with Acrement’s mother.  According to the family, Scott agreed to show Acremant around town. Art says he asked Scott how long he would be gone. “He turned around like he always does, and said I love you dad.  I said I love you, too, son, and that’s the last time I saw him alive,” says George.

According to Acremant’s confessions to police and the media, he shot Scott in the head three times, without taking his hand off the wheel, and finally one last time in the heart. Weeks later, Scott’s body was found thirty five feet down an old mine shaft.  George says the most disturbing part of the story is that he believes his son’s killer is still playing the system.  “If you love your family like I do, what little I have now, you’d understand what I’m saying. This guy is a danger.”

Authorities in Oregon say, if there’s any sign Acremant is faking his mental illness, he’ll land right back on Death Row.  Department of Justice officials in California say, since Acremant was tried in Oregon first, he’ll stay in Oregon as his slow-going appeals process gets underway in California.  They predict Acremant’s defense team will use the same mental health arguments in California.  Acremant’s lead defense attorney did not return our calls.

“I think we’ve been cheated,” says Wendy.  “The world’s been cheated for not knowing Scott, but I will not let Acremant destroy Scott’s image or legacy to be kind to everyone.  17 years?  It feels like it was yesterday.”
MMW Worst Offenders: Family of murder victim Scott George speaks