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\"For an entire year, my client was out on bail...Not once did he hint or suggest in any way that he would run from justice, much less show any signs that he was capable of such heinous violence towards of all people his mother,\" Willingham said in the statement.

\"Days before he was to turn himself in and begin serving his sentence, Mr. Merritt sounded upbeat and optimistic about his chances of parole after serving just five years. I simply cannot believe this has happened. My continued thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Merritt family.\"

\"PHOTO:
Courtesy of the Merritt family
PHOTO: Shirley Merritt was murdered in DeKalb County, Georgia, Feb. 2, 2019.
>

Lempka called him \"very unpredictable\" and said \"he could hurt or kill someone else at this point.\"

\"He may have shaved his head or otherwise changed his appearance, and should be considered armed and dangerous,\" the U.S. Marshals Service said in its release. \"Do not try to engage him.\"

U.S. Marshals on Saturday released a new photo of Merritt leaving a gas station in the hours after he cut off his ankle monitor. They also announced a $5,000 reward for information on his whereabouts.

PLEASE SHARE U.S. Marshals release new picture of Richard Merritt. Nationwide manhunt continues for 'armed and dangerous' disbarred lawyer accused of killing mother. https://t.co/N6TPMhxOnY @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/Yoiljq4W8u

— Chris Jose (@ChrisJoseWSB) February 9, 2019

Robert also said he was worried for their safety: \"I’m concerned for our family’s safety quite frankly. Nobody thought he was capable of such cruel and inhuman behavior against his own mother. If he’s willing to do that to his own flesh and blood, you know, what would he do to somebody else?\"

ABC News' Rachel Katz contributed to this report.

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