Sentencing Friday for Desmond Turner in Hamilton Avenue murders

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A Marion County Judge will sentence the man convicted of killing 7 people in a home on Hamilton Avenue.

Desmond Turner was found guilty last month. Turner will spend the rest of his life behind bars without parole.

On the last day of the trial Judge Robert Altice announced that Turner will spend the rest of his life behind bars without parole.

However, on Friday, he will be formally sentenced.

Family members of the victims will be in court Friday, they will get a chance to address Desmond Turner as well as Judge Altice, and tell him whether they agree of disagree with the sentence.

During the trial many of the family members were not pleased that Turner was not facing the death penalty. Prosecutor Carl Brizzi originally did seek a death sentence in the case.

However, due to the lack of physical evidence, he agreed to withdraw it in exchange for Turner waiving his right to a jury. “Everyday that goes passes, I am more and more convinced that we did the right thing. There was no physical evidence, no DNA, no finger prints, the murder weapon was never found, and the only witnesses we had were the courageous ones who live in the 500 block of North Hamilton,” said Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi.

In the meantime, the alleged accomplice in this case, James Stewart, he will be tried on December 3rd.

During the trial we learned the victims had 31 gunshot wounds, Prosecutors said one of the bullets coming from Stewart's handgun, and the rest from Turner's assault rifle.