FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — William Carney’s family has finally received justice after more than three years of waiting.
Damien Murphy was sentenced Thursday to 32 years in state prison as he faced his victim’s family one last time.
“It was like all my dreams died at once,” said Carnie’s daughter Essence.
Murphy shot Carney in downtown Fresno in October 2023.
In September, the defendant pleaded no contest to the voluntary manslaughter charge, which allowed him to avoid a first-degree murder conviction and earned him a lighter sentence.
More than a dozen friends and family members showed up to witness the end of what they consider a painful case.
“My dad will never see me on prom day. He will never be able to walk me down the aisle on my wedding day and cry, seeing how much I’ve grown,” Carnie’s daughter said.
Her mother also expressed her grief, saying, “My life simply no longer contains the happiness it once had. The joy that came naturally has been replaced by sorrow.”
The victim leaves behind five children. The family also said he was less than a month away from his 40th birthday.
“I can’t hate you because I know you’re hurting more than him, and that gives me peace of mind,” said Adam, one of Carnie’s childhood friends, as he addressed her killer directly.
After more than 20 minutes of heartbreaking words from the victim’s family, Murphy showed no reaction, even as the judge told him the weight of his crime.
“I hope that every second of your 32 years you think of William and his family and the damage you have caused,” the judge said.
He then offered Murphy a chance to address the court and the grieving family he shattered, but the defendant expressed no remorse.
“I would apologize, but I’m not going to apologize for protecting my family. I would do it a million times,” the killer said.
His blunt justification prompted a response message from the judge.
“I hope you change your mind and are remorseful for your actions, and that you do not disrespect the people you murdered and that you did not hurt their families,” the judge said.
Murphy was ordered to return to court in December for a restitution hearing.
He was denied any chance of probation.
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