Family members, sheriff happy with death sentence
Posted Mar13, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Family members of Derrick McFarland, one of the men murdered in August 2006 by William Morva, said this afternoon they don't necessarily support the dealth penalty but believe it was the right sentence for Morva.
After deliberating for three hours this afternoon, a Washington County jury recommended that Morva be put to death for each of three counts of capital murder they convicted him of two days ago.
Morva will be formally sentenced by the judge June 23.
As the verdicts were read, Morva smiled and snapped his fingers, an action that upset some of the victims' family members.
"Like he won the lottery," McFarland's father, Harold McFarland, said outside the courtroom.
Cindy McFarland, Derrick McFarland's wife, said she couldn't have been happier with the jury's recommendation.
Tamara Sutphin, the widow of Montgomery County Sheriff's Cpl. Eric Sutphin, left the courthouse by a back door without commenting.
Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Whitt said he was very pleased with the jury's recommendation as well.
He said he has fond memories of Sutphin and that the "way we lost him was certainly answered for today."
Comments
[March 13, 2008 5:15 PM]
BrianIm glad to see he got death. As he smiled and snapped his fingers you could tell he does not care. He has never shown any remorse for killing 2 men, 2 protectors of society, 2 husbands, and 2 fathers. Everyday I put on a uniform the same color as Cpl. Eric Sutphin did and I would hope for the same outcome for my family if it had been me. God Bless the children and the widows who have to march on. I will celebrate the day that they put the vile creature to death.
[March 13, 2008 5:22 PM]
sandra cagleim so pleased with the verdict.god bless the sutphin&mcfarland family.my prayers&thoughts are with you
[March 13, 2008 6:45 PM]
JoeyAs a christian I dont support the death penalty, however this was a senseless and horrible crime. I would have locked him up for life because when they do take his life, depending on where he stands with god he could possibly be rejoicing for eternity IF he honestly gave his life to christ and honestly confessed and repented what he has done. I believe my God is a forgiving God. however he knows our hearts and if we are not honest with him he will know it.
[March 13, 2008 7:42 PM]
Percy KutionNo state should have to right to do something it denies it's own citizens the right to do. Give the Morva thing to the families of the ones he killed and let them decide what to do with him.
[March 13, 2008 9:16 PM]
lorii would like to say that justice was served today.i am a close friend of the mcfarlands.i was there when cindy was told that her husband was murdered and i will never forget the look i saw on her face.i sat in court with her and derricks mom and dad and i saw the relief in their eyes today as the death sentence was read.morva got what he deserves,i would like to tell all those people who think he should spend the rest of his miserable life in jail that i wish they could spend ane day with the kids that are left without their daddy and hear a 4 year old still cry for her daddy then tell me that he deserves to live.he will burn in hell for what he did and he deserves nothing less.
[March 13, 2008 10:01 PM]
Michael Tyree srI also am glad of the return verdict of the death penalty, some could say his actions show how messed up in the head he really is but it's all a ploy, to escape death with a life sentence instead, He won't die as long as Gov. Kaine is in office though, he will sit and the taxpayers will have to pay to keep him alive, i don't see why he has to wait until june 23 to be sentenced, take care of business now, i for 1 don't want my tax money going to support him.
[March 13, 2008 11:20 PM]
AmandaI agree that he's guilty, but he shouldn't get the death penalty.He should have to suffer for the rest of his life for what he has done.Giving him death allows him to take the easy way out for his actions.My deepest sympathies are with the McFarland and Sutphin families.
[March 14, 2008 7:51 AM]
Suzanne VI say get the show on the road, don't let him use year's of appeals and our tax'es to keep his worthless flesh on this earth. He is so, sorry I can't use the word on line but death is to easy. Please take note that our govern is trying to stop the death penatly in Va. Let's not let this happen
[March 14, 2008 10:29 AM]
ElizabethI've been following this case since day one.Im just so at loss for words.My heart goes out to the Sutphin an McFarland familys.What they must be going through,I cant even imagain. I feel that Morva's sentencing was what most of the New River Valley was wishing for. I know that when I heard the news I felt some sence of justice had prevailed. Morva realy only needs to worry about one sentencing day and thats his final judgement day. May God Bless Eric and Derricks familys, and I pray they find some form of healing through all of this.
[March 14, 2008 1:52 PM]
DonFrom William Morva's reaction to the jury's decision, I must say that I believe he wanted death, as he likely sees himself as being a martyr. Life in prison with out parole would have been far greater punishment in his mind. His final punishment will not occur for many years, I see this case likely being held up on appeals for quite some time, 8-10 years would not shock me.
[March 14, 2008 1:54 PM]
Heroes Live ForeverAs a member of Law Enforcement and Having to deal with scum like him on a day to day basis, It is sad that The Virginia Department of Corrections don't have an "EXPRESS LANE", Now the tax payers have to provide him with atorneys,and 35k a year for the next 15 years that he sets on Death Row trying to Plead his own life...Never thinking of the ones he took.
[March 14, 2008 2:59 PM]
K.J.Light JrFor those who think life in prison would have been better, here is a thought. Life in prison is still a life, and with an IQ like his I'm sure he would adapt to his new surroundings, never having to own up to his deeds, knowing one day he will die of old age but not knowing when, just like the rest of us. Now he will have his appeals, it will drag on, but sooner or later the final date shall come, and he can sit and watch the clock until that time arrives and he will either have to get good with the Lord or not, but he will answer for his deeds. Like I said in another post, I cant judge him but it's a comfort to know the date and time of his final judgement will be set.
[March 14, 2008 3:02 PM]
NeilI knew William Morva in high school, very well, he was a good friend. None of you were there to see him pull the trigger, but you are all so convinced of his guilt. If he did do the crimes he is convicted of, then something went terrible wrong in my old friends mind. he was a great guy not 6 years ago. anyone saying that they are happy with ANYONE being put to death is a terrible person themselves. that is a terrible punishment, it doesn't make sense; and anyone who uses it or upholds it is not a Christian; because you are not behaving as Christ would have. As far as wasting of taxpayers money: start really looking at where all your tax dollars go - to line the pockets of our representatives. much more of our money is sucked up for the use of the privileged few than is spent on keeping anyone imprisoned. taking such delight in someone being put to death is despicable, according to Jesus there is no more "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth".
[March 14, 2008 8:43 PM]
KIMThis is to Neil, You say nobody saw your friend (Morva) pull the trigger. Is it just a coincedence that he stole the gun and McFarland and my best friend Eric end up shot to death. Is it also a coincedence that the very same gun that he stole ended up underneath his right shoulder when they found him hidding on the trail. Your friend has taken two innocent lives who's families will never be the same again. Children that will never see their fathers again. Mom's that lost their only child. Wives that no longer have their husbands. I hope you never need the assistance of an officer if you think so little of the fact that they are here to protect and serve. I knew Eric well enough to say that he would have given anyone the shirt off his back. Neither one of these shooting were warranted. Why did your friend get put in jail to begin with. He sounds like a real productive part of society!!!! He doesn't even have any remorse for what he has done.