Judge sentences Columbia man to 2 life terms

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Columbia man convicted in the deaths of his wife and business partner will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Judge DeAndrea Benjamin sentenced Brett Parker to two consecutive life sentences without parole Tuesday night. The sentence was handed down shortly after a jury deliberated for three hours before returning a guilty verdict.

Parker was observed sitting stone-faced during the reading of the verdict and in the moments shortly thereafter. Parker’s daughter and family wept in the courtroom shortly after the verdict was read. An audible gasp was heard as well.

Prosecutors say Parker killed his wife, Tammy, in April 2012 and tried to frame it on business partner Bryan Capnerhurst.