LONGVIEW (KYTX) -- A jury sentences Toronto Lockridge to life in prison, finding him guilty of murder in a Gregg County court today. Lockridge was on trial for shooting and killing a man in his Longview home in 2009. CBS 19's Abby Broyles was in the courtroom today when the verdict came in.
After 3 days of testimony, a jury finds Toronto Lockridge guilty of murder in the 2009 shooting death of Kelvin Muckleroy.
Muckleroy's body was found in the charred remains of his Longview home in September 2009.
Investigators said an arsonist set the house on fire to cover up the murder.
In November, a jury convicted Lockridge's co-defendant, Brandon Horne, for his involvement in Muckleroy's killing.
Prosecutors say the two were at the home together when Muckleroy was shot.
Horne claimed Lockridge fired the gun - a claim Lockridge has denied all along. His attorney argued no one actually saw Lockridge at the scene, and Lockridge's family testified he was at his own home when the murder happened.
But Friday prosecutors summed up over 500 pieces of evidence they say ties Lockridge to the murder.
Assistant District Attorney Chris Botto points to phone records showing 41 phone calls between Horne and Lockridge, in the 24 hours surrounding Muckleroy's murder.
And one witness, Shatoya Davis, testified Brandon Horne told her it was the result of a drug deal and that he and Lockridge killed Muckleroy.
Muckleroy's family was in court Friday, still grieving his death.
Muckleroy's aunt Aquilla Polk says she's been waiting to see her nephew's killer brought to justice.
"He took a very precious part of our lives that we can never get back," Polk said.
Lockridge is also sentenced to a $10,000 fine. He has been appointed an attorney for appeal. Horne has not been sentenced yet.
