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Life sentence for Yarbrough
Their wait came to a surprising end Thursday when a sobbing Yarbrough, 29, turned to them and apologized for his role in kidnapping the two Franciscan University students from their off-campus apartment in Steubenville, Ohio, and then murdering them on a hillside along Route 22 in Robinson Township on Memorial Day 1999.
"I apologize," said Yarbrough, only moments after a jury announced that he would not be executed for killing the men, but instead would spend the rest of his life in prison. The same jury of nine women and three men Tuesday convicted Yarbrough of two counts of first-degree murder and criminal conspiracy, ending the weeklong trial.
Yarbrough was given an opportunity to make a statement after Washington County Judge John DiSalle announced he was prepared to immediately issue his sentence.
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Although Yarbrough apologized, he maintained that he wasn't the one who shot Muha, 18, of Ohio, and Land, 20, of Philadelphia. He also said that he has changed.
Muha and Land's family members were surprised and relieved by Yarbrough's remarks.
"I do appreciate your statements. This is the first time you have shown that (remorse), and it does mean something to me," said Land's mother, Kathleen O'Hara, when given the opportunity to speak.
Muha's mother, Rachel, and brother, Chris, were also taken aback by Yarbrough's apology.
"You just don't realize what this is about, do you Terrell?" said Chris Muha. "It's not about if you fire the shots. You were there. You could have prevented this from happening, but you didn't. You were just as responsible."
Muha's older brother also told Yarbrough that, while he said he's changed, he will now have to prove it.
Rachel Muha was more compassionate as she told Yarbrough that she and her family have been praying for him for the past 10 years.
"To see you stand up and say what you said is a good start," she said.
Rachel Muha said the prayers will continue until the day when Yarbrough truly does change his ways and fashions his life after the men he killed.
"We're depending on you. We're counting on you," said Rachel Muha. "We know you can do it."
DiSalle then proceeded to sentence Yarbrough to the life sentences. He also ordered Yarbrough to serve a consecutive 20 to 40 years in prison for the criminal conspiracy conviction.
DiSalle said he was departing from the sentencing guidelines because the crime was so heinous and because of Yarbrough's callousness and brazenness afterward.
When questioned about her being seen hugging Yarbrough's aunt, Tracie Marshall, upon leaving the courtroom, Rachel Muha said the families have come to know each other over the past few weeks and they have agreed to continue praying for each other.
Marshall testified Wednesday that her nephew had been born to heroin-addicted parents and was bounced from home to home while growing up.
"There is justice," she said after the proceeding.
Neither Haber nor Assistant District Attorney Michael Lucas could pinpoint what they believed led the jury to its decision. However, Haber said evidence indicating that Yarbrough is mildly retarded may have been a consideration.
Lucas said, "The jury acted out of mercy, and that is a noble purpose."
This was the second time that Yarbrough was tried for the murders.
In 2001, an Ohio jury convicted him of first-degree murder and sentenced him to death. In December 2004, the Ohio Supreme Court overturned Yarbrough's murder conviction, saying there was no jurisdiction to prosecute in Ohio since the killings occurred in Washington County.
Two years later, Yarbrough was charged in Washington County.
Co-defendant Nathan "Boo" Herring of Steubenville was also convicted of first-degree murder but was sentenced to life in prison in Ohio.
Like Yarbrough, Herring's conviction was overturned by the Ohio Supreme Court. He also has been charged in Washington County but will be tried later. The prosecution has yet to decide whether it will seek the death penalty against Herring.
Yarbrough will continue to serve a sentence in Ohio for kidnapping and robbing the students, and then will be transferred to Pennsylvania.
Related articles:
Jury faces life-death decision
Jury: Man guilty in students' slayings
No verdict reached in Yarbrough trial
Selection continues for jurors in Yarbrough death-penalty case
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Life Sentence : 11/6/2009
The Land and Muha families are truly examples of what Christ came into this world to do, and they have carried on the legacy left by Christ. That legacy is LOVE! I am grateful to the jury for sparing this young mans life, I believe the jury was led by the LOVE of Jesus Christ who many years ago died for each and everyone of us! I will continue to pray for everyone whos life has been touched by this tragedy.
