ANDERSON, S.C. — A jury convicted a 32-year-old electrician of beating an Upstate couple who sold jewelry and carried around tens of thousands of dollars to death with a hammer, and a judge promptly sentenced him Friday to two life sentences without parole.
Matthew Fullbright testified on his own behalf, proclaiming his innocence and accusing investigators of forging his signature on a confession. His lawyer said there was no physical evidence linking Fullbright to the October 2009 killings of 72-year-old Homer Staton and his 68-year-old wife JoAnn in Anderson County.
But jurors didn't buy the explanation, finding Fullbright guilty of two counts of murder and other charges in just a few hours of deliberations.
The Statons bought and sold jewelry, and sometimes carried as much as $50,000 in cash. Fullbright knew that because he sometimes steered customers to the couple, prosecutors said.
Fullbright used the couple's trust to lure them to a secluded location and then beat them to death with a hammer in their cars, dumping their bodies in a different location, authorities said. They called witnesses who said he was deep in debt and addicted to drugs.
Fullbright denied signing a confession and his lawyer said there was little physical evidence linking him to the crime .
Prosecutors said Fullbright led investigators to one of the bodies and signed a written confession to the crime.
"The defendant is the one sitting in the back seat, he took a hammer and hit them over and over and over and over and over again," prosecutor Catherine Huey said.
Fullbright testified in his own defense, saying his signature was forged in the confession. His lawyer had a handwriting expert testify to back up that statement. Defense attorney Scott Robinson said there was no physical evidence connecting Fullbright to the killings.
"Matt may not have the best choice of friends, he may not be the best at paying bills," Robinson said. "But nothing the state has shown you proves that he's guilty."
Prosecutors said Fullbright took careful steps to cover up his crime and confuse investigators, including intentionally making his signature looked forged on the confession.
Fullbright's attorney blamed the deaths on Fullbright's friend and neighbor Irving Ramiriz. He also has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial.