USA - Alabama. Judge Charles Graddick sentenced Lam Luong to death.

Judge Charles Graddick of Mobile County Circuit Court upheld a jury's March 20 recommendation and sentenced Lam Luong to death. Luong, 38, a Vietnamese refugee, pleaded guilty to killing 4 children on Jan. 7, 2008. Prosecutors said he dropped them from the Dauphin Island Bridge after an argument with their mother, Kieu Phan, 23. Mr. Luong came to the United States from Vietnam when he was 13. 3 of the 4 children, ranging in age from 4 months to 3 years, were his. The court wants the prison system to make sure Luong looks at pictures of the kids every day until his execution. Judge Graddick also ordered Luong to pay $50 million in restitution. Luong did not have enough money to pay for his own defense, so he will likely never make good on that debt. But it assures he will never get a penny if he sells the rights to his story for a book or movie deal. Before the sentencing Luong turned to his wife Kieu and said he was sorry.