Desmond Turner compares self to Christ

Convicted murderer Desmond Turner compared himself to Christ Friday morning during his sentencing hearing.

Despite his comparison, Marion County Judge Robert Altice sentenced Turner to life in prison with out the possibility of parole, plus an additional 88 years.

Before Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi went into the courtroom Friday, a reporter asked him whether he expected Turner to say anything at his sentencing.

"You would like to think that after three and a half years, after having been convicted, now facing life without the possibility of parole, that he would want to express some measure of responsibility and or remorse,” said Brizzi.

But Brizzi then said, "Knowing him like I've gotten to know him over the past three and a half years, I doubt that that is within his ability."

Indeed, Turner chose the opposite of responsibility or remorse for the killings.

"Due to a negligent investigation, an innocent man was convicted," Turner read from a prepared statement. "Now I know how Christ felt when he died for our sins."

Turner called Brizzi a "political showman," and said he and the other prosecutors built their case upon "lies, falsehoods and manipulations."

Turner added, "I will be redeemed, and this is only the beginning of the fight."

Outside the courtroom after the sentencing Brizzi said of Turner, "He's just awful. He is probably one of the most unrepentant, unremorseful human beings ever. He compared himself to Jesus Christ. What is that?"

Turner was accused of killing seven people, four adults and three children, in the 500 block of Hamilton Avenue on the Indianapolis east side in June of 2006.

Prosecutors won their case, despite having no physical evidence from the crime scene.

Family members of the victims were allowed to make victim impact statements in court during Turner's sentencing.

Jasmine Albarran, 10 was one of those making statements.

She lost her father, Magno Albarran, in the killings.

"I love and miss my dad every day," she said.

And speaking of the night of the murders, she said, "I will never forget that night because I got to spend time with my dad just before he died."

Maria Flores’ sister Emma Valdez was one of the seven people murdered back in June of 2006.

“Everybody is free to say what ever they want, so I guess he has the right too. It hurts, he’s using God’s name in vain of course he can’t compare himself to God, no way, not even if he was innocent,” said Flores.

One of Turner's defense attorneys, Brent Westerfeld, said after the sentencing, "Our client is innocent. That's what this case is about, and we will continue to pursue that in his appeal."

That appeal has not yet been filed. Judge Robert Altice said he will appoint attorneys for Turner for the appeal.

Turner indicated in court Friday morning that the NAACP has offered to help with his appeal.

24-Hour News 8 left a message with the organization's Indianapolis office Friday afternoon, but has not yet heard back.

Turner’s alleged accomplice, James Stewart, is scheduled to be tried in court on December 3, 2009.