Cape Cod Man Sentenced to Life in Prison

Christopher McCowen was sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of raping and murdering fashion writer Christa Worthington in 2002.

The jury convicted the 34-year-old of first degree murder, rape and burglary. McCowen held back tears when the verdict and sentencing were announced. He addressed the court during his sentencing and maintained his innocence.

The much publicized trial took a turn when the jury announced it was deadlocked after 28 hours of deliberations. The judge later dismissed a panelist for discussing the case with her jailed boyfriend and making negative comments about police. The jury resumed deliberations Tuesday.
The defense claims the judge's move to replace a panelist with an alternate juror tainted McCowen's chance of having a fair trial.

McCowen admitted to having sex and beating Worthington but said his friend was the one who stabbed her.

Worthington was found murdered in her Truru home back in 2002.