USA - California. Judge William Froeberg sentenced Hilbert Pineil Thomas to death

Judge William Froeberg sentenced Hilbert Pineil Thomas, 43, Black, to death for the Feb. 2, 2009 murders of Matthew Scott Francis and Elizabeth Ann Palmer. Thomas was found guilty in February of 2 felony counts of special circumstances murder for multiple murders, murder during the commission of robbery, and murder during the commission of burglary. An Orange County jury recommended death on March 12 (see). Elizabeth Ann Palmer's sister, Patricia Moore, gave a statement that read, in part: "I have spent over five years wondering what I would say to you when I had the chance. No words can change the outcome of what you've done. I have prayed for the courage to say these words, 'I forgive you.' Not so you can feel better but so my family, Matt's family, your family and I can heal and move forward. May God have mercy on you. It's what's Beth would have wanted."