Jury Finds Gribble Sane, Guilty In N.H. Murder

A New Hampshire judge says "infinity is not enough jail time" for a 21-year-old found guilty of murdering a Mont Vernon woman and maiming her daughter in a machete and knife attack.

Minutes after a jury found Christopher Gribble guilty in the October 2009 attack that killed Kimberly Cates and injured 11-year-old Jaimie the judge imposed the mandatory life sentence.

The jury deliberated less than two hours over two days before finding him guilty Friday of two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit burglary and witness tampering.

Gribble showed no emotion as the verdicts were read. Jaimie Cates appeared in court for the sentencing. Following the verdict, David Cates spoke about his and his daughter's grief.

"To the murderer in this courtroom, as I've said in the past, this verdict is not justice, but I can only hope that justice will find you very soon," he said.

Gribble admitted he and a friend broke into the home intending to kill anyone they found, but asked the jury to find he was not guilty by reason of insanity.

His associate, Steven Spader, was convicted last November. He's serving two life sentences without the possibility of parole.

With reporting from The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom.

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