Damien Murphy, 32, told a Fresno courtroom he would not apologize for fatally shooting William Carney.
Murphy was sentenced Thursday to 32 years in state prison for the October 2023 killing of Carney, then 39, at a gas station in Fresno. The sentencing capped a case that began when Carney was found with a fatal gunshot wound around 10:30 p.m. At the corner of Belmont and Effie. He underwent emergency surgery but did not survive.
In September, Murphy entered a no-contest plea to voluntary manslaughter, a move that allowed him to avoid a first-degree murder conviction and receive a reduced sentence. The plea came nearly a year after detectives arrested him about a month following the shooting. Authorities have said the killing stemmed from a confrontation Carney had with Murphy’s family, though they never disclosed the nature of the dispute.
When given the opportunity to address Carney’s relatives during Thursday’s hearing, Murphy showed no remorse. “I would apologize, but I’m not going to apologize for protecting my family,” he said in court. “I’d do it a million times.”
Carney’s family delivered roughly 20 minutes of emotional statements while Murphy reportedly sat without reaction. His daughter Essence spoke about the permanent absence left by her father’s death. “It was like all my dreams died at once,” she said. “My dad won’t ever see me on prom day. He can never walk me down the aisle on my wedding day and cry, seeing how much I’ve grown.”
Carney was one of five children and was nearing his 40th birthday when he was killed, according to family members.
The judge directly addressed Murphy’s lack of contrition during the proceedings. “I hope you change your mind and have some remorse for your actions, and don’t be disrespectful to the people you murdered and hurt their families,” the judge said.
The judge also offered a final message as the sentence was imposed. “I hope every second of your 32 years, you think about William and his family and the damage you’ve caused,” the judge said.
Carney received immediate medical attention after being discovered at the gas station and was transported to a medical center, where surgeons attempted to save his life. The efforts proved unsuccessful.
Murphy will serve his sentence in California state prison following Thursday’s hearing in Fresno.