YORK, S.C. — After nearly two weeks of listening to testimony, a York County jury and a South Carolina judge decided the fate of Julia Phillips.
The jury deliberated for more than four hours Thursday before finding Phillips guilty of murdering her longtime boyfriend, former York mayor Melvin Roberts, in 2010.
Before her sentence was handed down, Phillips stood up and made a shocking statement.
"I too want to know who did this. If they have it in their hearts to believe that, that's their belief I can't change that I tried to do my best," she said.
During the trial, prosecutors said Phillips killed Roberts for the money.
But the defense argued that Phillips should have never been charged because of a lack of evidence.
After the judge handed down the life sentence to Phillips, you could see some smiles, tears, and even hugs from people in the courtroom.
The victim's sons told Eyewitness News they've waited three long years to get this off their chests.
"The (expletive) will rot in hell now after she spends the rest of her life in jail and that's where she needs to be in jail then in hell," said Ronnie Roberts.
"Justice has been served and she is guilty. She is a murderer," said David Roberts.
Phillips will remain in custody in York County until she is transported to a state prison.
WSOC
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