An unremorseful Asband Anderson was this afternoon sentenced to life in prison for the murder of James McKoy in Unitedville. It took a jury of 12 over three hours to convict the 42 year old for the December 13th murder and immediately after he was sentenced to life in prison.
Anderson was charged for fatally stabbing McKoy to death at the Plum Tree Bar in Unitedville. During the trial witnesses who were at the bar say they didn't see Anderson stab McKoy the first time, but they did see McKoy slouched over the railing and bleeding with Anderson choking him. The witnesses testified that after they intervened, Anderson released McKoy and he fell to the ground. They then became eyewitnesses to Anderson stabbing McKoy two times to the chest.
In a statement from the dock Anderson admitted he stabbed McKoy but he claims it was in self-defense. A teary eyed Anderson told jurors it was McKoy who first pulled the knife and it was either kill or be killed. His attorney Simeon Sampson asked for immediate sentencing and presiding Judge Troadio Gonzalez sentenced him to life. After the sentence Anderson shouted to the victim's family members that "I hope you are happy with all the lies you are telling." His attorney says he has already filed an appeal.
We should note that Prosecutor Anthony Sylvester did not seek the death penalty. If sentencing had been deferred, it would have given Sylvester time to file papers seeking the death penalty.
