CrimeManhunt on for Disbarred Lawyer Accused of Killing His Mother

A nationwide manhunt is underway for a Georgia lawyer who police say killed his own mother.

Richard Merritt, 44, was supposed to turn himself in to Cobb County authorities earlier this month to serve a 15-year sentence behind bars after pleading guilty to stealing $500,000 from his elderly clients.

Instead, police say, Merritt cut off his ankle monitor and killed his mother, Shirley, by stabbing her to death with a steak knife in Dekalb County on Feb. 2 before stealing her car and fleeing the area. He's been on the run ever since, according to officials.

Man accused of kidnapping Jayme Closs appearing in court

Jake Patterson is facing a judge in person for the first time , CBS News' Jamie Yuccas reports. Patterson allegedly confessed to targeting the teenager after seeing her get on a school bus. According to a criminal complaint, Patterson shot and killed Jayme's parents in October as they tried to protect her. He is accused of holding her captive in his house until she broke free nearly three months later. Investigators revealed last week they had obtained call logs, photos and videos from Patterson's cellphone, which was in the front seat of his car when he was arrested.

Once you kill anyone, it's easier for you to kill someone else, especially if you kill your own mother . Reporter: The 44-year-old, convicted in January of stealing from clients and elder abuse, sentenced to 15 years behind bars Now Playing: Nationwide manhunt for disbarred lawyer suspected of murder.

He was due to turn himself in, but allegedly killed her and stole her car. Prosecutors say Richard Merritt was convicted of a crime a year ago; his mom, with whom he was living, who posted his bail.

Merritt's brother, Robert, urged his sibling to surrender Saturday.

© Provided by CBS Interactive Inc. Cops have launched a nationwide search for 44-year-old Richard Merritt, who pleaded guilty to stealing $500,000 from elderly clients and who they say cut off his ankle bracelet and stabbed his mother to death with a steak knife. "You need to face the consequences of the criminal behavior that you were sentenced for ... and now you certainly need to be held accountable for the brutal murder of our mother," he told ABC News.

The U.S. Marshals are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

"He could be dangerous to anyone because if he killed his own mother what's to stop him from hurting anybody else?" Marshal Frank Lempka, who's leading the manhunt for Merritt, told Inside Edition.