Judge sentences William Morva to death

WSLS News Staff
Published: June 23, 2008

Updated 5:39 p.m.

By Ashley Roberts

William Morva’s formal sentencing was filled with emotional outbursts from the widow of one of the men he’s convicted of killing as well as Morva saying everything he didn’t during his trial.

“I don’t think that anyone in this courtroom except for very small handful of people do have any empathy or compassion because I think that people in here are sick with greed,” says Morva.

Morva also says he’s innocent, unlike the rest of the world, which he says is filled with evil people who get away with things.

His words were a little bit too much for the victims’ families, especially Derrick McFarland’s widow, Cindy.

MORVA: And you think you will always get away with it. You believe this because you always have for thousands of years.

CINDY: Is that what your sorry {explicit} thinks? You didn’t show no mercy when you killed my husband and took my children’s father you {explicit}. You deserve to burn in hell.”

Cindy’s heated statements forced security to escort her out of the courtroom.

Cindy’s words didn’t stop Morva from making one last promise.

There’s nothing more I can do, but there are others like me and I hope you know that and soon they’re going to get together,” says Morva. They’re going to sweep over your whole civilization and they’re going to wipe these smiles off of your faces forever. That’s all.”

And that’s all the judge needed to hear before making his decision to sentence Morva to death.

He’ll spend the next 120 DAYS behind bars on death row, until he’s scheduled execution on October 21, 2008.

Derrick McFarland’s father, Harold, says today at the formal sentencing, and at Morva’s trial, his family received closure.

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A judge sentences William Morva to death.

The decision was announced in a Montgomery Co. court, just after 11:00 a.m. this morning.

Morva was convicted of capital murder in March by a jury for the deaths of hospital security guard Derrick McFarland and Montogmery Co. Sheriff’s Corporal Eric Sutphin, both killed in August of 2006.

The jury had recommended the death penalty.

Morva spoke to the court for the first time in the case.  During his diatribe, the widow of Derrick McFarland got up and yelled at Morva that she hoped he “Burns in Hell.“

Stay tuned to WSLS and wsls.com for more updates.