USA - South Carolina. Judge Larry Hyman today sentenced Titus Huggins to serve life in prison.

Circuit Court Judge Larry Hyman today sentenced Titus Huggins, 44, Black, to serve life in prison. Huggins was arrested for armed robbery, criminal conspiracy and the murder of Hazel Weaver on March 10, 1994. In 1995, his first trial ended in a mistrial. In 1996, he was convicted and sentenced to death, and in 2005 his sentence was overturned by Circuit Court Judge John M. Milling because his attorneys were found to be ineffective. On Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, his sentence was changed to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Huggins has been on death row since his conviction in 1996. Today, 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson said he didn't want to seek the death penalty again because Huggins' convictions for murder, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy remain intact. With the death penalty sentence vacated, Huggins is eligible for parole because the murder happened before laws changed in 1996, Richardson said. He can apply for parole annually after he has served 30 years. 2 other men were convicted of lesser crimes in Weaver's death and have served their prison sentences, Richardson said.