Sentencing phase under way

WSLS News Staff & The Associated Press
Published: March 11, 2008

Updated 6:02 p.m.

The prosecution has finished with its witnesses for the sentencing phase.

The jury adjourned for the day.

Morva’s defense will call its witnesses tomorrow.  His lawyers are expected to call a dozen witnesses, including William Morva’s mother.

Among those who testified for the prosecution inlcuded Cpl. Eric Sutphin’s mother Geaneen Sutphin.  When she took the stand, she looked at Morva and said, “My son didn’t have to die.  This man deliberately shot him in the back of the head.  Kill him.  He didn’t give him life, he didn’t give him a chance to live.“

Also, Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Whitt testified.  Sheriff Whitt got really emotional when talking about Cpl. Sutphin’s daughters, and recalled when he received the news about Cpl. Sutphin’s death.  The Sheriff said he was in his bathroom shaving, when his wife handed him his cell phone.  Sheriff Whitt testified, “I can’t tell you who made the call, I just fell to the bathroom floor and started crying.  Why God?  Why did this have to happen.“

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Derrick McFarland’s parents and wife, as well as the widow of Cpl. Eric Sutphin have testified.

We’ll have updates from the courthouse tonight on WSLS at 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.

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In testimony this afternoon, two nurses who were at Montgomery County Regional Hospital the night that security guard Derrick McFarland was shot to death, said they still suffer from nightmares, must take medication, and receive counseling.

(Associated Press)

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Trial timeline

A jury has found William Morva guilty on all seven charges he faces, connected with the murders of Montgomery County Sheriff’s Corporal Eric Sutphin, and Montgomery Regional Hospital security guard Derrick McFarland.

Those charges include:

• 3 counts of capital murder
• 2 counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony
• 1 count of assault and battery of a police officer
• 1 count of escape with force

The sentencing phase is now underway.  The jury can only choose between life in prison without parole, or the death penalty under Virginia law.

10 On Your Side’s Rosa Duarte is in the courtroom.  She saw William Morva keep his hands in his pockets, and he had no emotion while the verdict was read.

The families of Cpl. Sutphin and McFarland were also in the courtroom.  They showed some emotion, but not too much when the verdict was read.  Corporal Sutphin’s wife and mother are there, while McFarland’s wife and parents represent his memory.

We’ll have updates from the courthouse tonight on WSLS at 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.