Judge: Turner to spend life in prison, no parole

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The man convicted of taking part in the worst mass killing Indianapolis has ever seen will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Desmond Turner learned his fate Friday, after a judge found him guilty on 23 counts in the case on Thursday.

(Click here to read more from our special section dedicated to the Hamilton Avenue murder trial.)

One of Turner's attorneys told 24-Hour News 8 there are what he calls "appealable issues" in the case.

And he said Turner continues to maintain he's innocent.

"He sincerely believes that he will be vindicated ultimately," said Brent Westerfeld.

It was the first time Westerfeld spoke to reporters since the beginning of the nearly two-week trial.

At the end of that trial, Judge Robert Altice found that Desmond Turner was one of two men who went into the home at 560 North Hamilton Avenue in June of 2006, intending to rob the family members there.

Robbery quickly turned into murder. Seven members of the Albarran and Covarrubias families -- three of them children -- ended up shot to death.

Family members of the victims had different reactions to Turner's conviction and sentence.

"We were able to sleep better last night; a lot of weight off of our shoulders," said Maria Flores. "Now we can be more happy."

Mario Albarran, another relative, was more subdued: "I can't say its closure, because I don't think there is closure for something like this."

When Judge Altice formally sentences Turner next month, he'll explain Turner's right to an appeal.

Defense attorney Westerfeld said he sees grounds for one.

"Our best appealable issue? That our client is innocent," Westerfeld said. "That's our appeal."

Turner's formal sentencing date is November 20, 2009.

After that, the focus will be on James Stewart, who's accused of being Turner's accomplice.

His trial is set for early December.