RELATED: Ex-girlfriend describes her life with man who killed priest
PHOTOS: Remembering Father Rene Robert
The man who killed Father Rene Robert, a beloved St. Augustine priest, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday in a south Georgia courtroom.
Steven Murray admitted that he killed Father Rene, 71, on April 10, 2016 and dumped his body in a remote area in Waynesboro, Ga. He was charged with malice murder, and Murray pled guilty to the charge.
Murray led authorities to Father Rene's body a few days after the killing and asked for forgiveness. The defense said that Murray had a "nightmare" childhood, but the state said that Murray showed no remorse and termed him "very dangerous."
Recap of Steven Murray's sentencing after pleading guilty to killing St. Augustine priest Rev. Rene Robert
Posted by Lorena Inclán Action News Jax on Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Murray's family members were in the courtroom for the sentencing. Murray smiled at them when he walked in for Wednesday's hearing.
Robert's nephew, Shaun McAndrews, made an impact statement and said his uncle would not have wanted Murray to receive the death penalty.
"He will have to have to think about it for the rest of his life and I hope he does every single day," McAndrews said. "I hope he loses sleep over it every single night."
In 1995, Father Rene signed a declaration that said if he was the victim of a victim of homicide, the killer should not be given the death penalty.
Father Rene's nephew visibly upset as prosecutor describes how Steven Murray shot his uncle multiple times @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) October 18, 2017
Prosecutors said that Murray shot at Father Rene and missed. He then fired again, hitting Father Rene in the side and in the head.
In court, Murray said he didn't know why he did it, but that he "didn't mean to do it." His family could bne heard sobbing he addressed the court.
Prior to the shooting, he had forced Father Rene to get into the trunk of the car as Murray attempted to drive to Aiken, S.C., located across the Savannah River from Augusta, Ga.
By pleading guilty Steven Murray waives his right to trial and appeals going forward @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) October 18, 2017
"I have mental problems and I lost control of myself. I apologize," Murray said.
30-year-old Steven Murray being escorted back behind bars where he will spend the rest of his days @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/NHuAX0P0s5
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) October 18, 2017
Cox Media Group