A man convicted of killing two Franciscan University students was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without parole.

The jury in Washington County, Pa., found Terrell Yarbrough guilty of one count of first-degree murder in the death of Aaron Land, one count of first-degree murder in the death of Brian Muha, and of conspiracy.

The jury deliberated for 2 1/2 hours before recommending its sentence. Defense attorney Ken Haber said he and his staff feel, despite the difficult decision that the jury had to make, he said they made the right one.

"We're very grateful that the jury unanimously found that life in prison is the appropriate verdict in this case," Haber said.

After the sentence was read, Yarbrough wept and apologized to the victims' families.

This was Yarbrough's second trial. In 2004, an Ohio court convicted Yarbrough of killing 18-year-old Muha and 20-year-old Land, but the Ohio Supreme Court overturned the conviction after deciding Ohio had no jurisdiction since the killings occurred in Pennsylvania.

According to police, Yarbrough kidnapped the students from their off-campus apartment in Steubenville on May 31, 1999. Police said Yarbrough and an accomplice drove the roommates to a remote section of Route 22 in Washington County, Pa., led them up a hill, and shot each one once in the head execution style. A motive in the case was never made clear.

The Ohio Supreme Court also previously overturned Nathan "Boo" Herring's conviction, who police said was Yarbrough's accomplice. Herring will also stand trial in Pennsylvania and remains in jail for kidnapping and weapons crimes.

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