SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — Convicted murderer Paul Darren Spinks will spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of parole following a Thursday morning sentencing hearing.
A judge officially accepted the jury’s verdict and recommendation of no mercy.
Paul Darren Spinks was convicted last month for the 2007 murder of his then-wife Elizabeth Spinks.
Two members of Elizabeth Spinks’ family addressed the court with victim impact statements, describing Paul Darren Spinks as an overly controlling and possessive husband while he was married to Elizabeth Spinks.
During the trial, it was revealed that no murder weapon was discovered and Spinks’ hands showed no trace of gunpowder residue. The defense team claimed the shooting was an attack by an unknown assailant, pointing out that Spinks was also shot that day and nearly bled out.
But the prosecution postulated that Spinks shot himself to cover his tracks, highlighting flaws in the alternate shooter theory with the help of witnesses who heard the two shots. The state also brought to light what they deemed odd behavior by Spinks during and immediately after the shooting–painting him as calculating how best to cover up the crime.
Spinks has 30 days to file an appeal.