Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2007 Murder of His Wife

Anthony Darrell Long

Anthony Darrell Long

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, a jury found Anthony Darrell Long, 40, guilty of first-degree murder and other offenses in connection with the 2007 murder of his estranged wife, 32-year-old Sonia Long. The trial began on February 11, 2013, in Mecklenburg County Superior Court before The Honorable C. Thomas Edwards, Superior Court Judge.

Long was tried for 1) first-degree murder, 2) attempted first-degree murder, 3) assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill, and 4) second-degree sex offense. After deliberating for about two hours, the jury found Long guilty on all counts.

Judge Edwards sentenced Long to life in prison without the possibility of parole, as well as an additional 251-320 months in prison to be served consecutively to the life sentence.

On August 16, 2007, Sonia Long went to the Charlotte home that she had previously shared with her husband to retrieve documents that would allow her to complete an apartment lease application. Sonia and Anthony Long were separated. Accompan ying Sonia Long to the home was her boyfriend, Roderick Phillips, and their 2-month-old son. Phillips waited in a vehicle in the driveway with the child while Sonia Long went inside.

More than 45 minutes later, Anthony Long called out to Phillips, saying that Sonia Long needed help. Carrying his son, Phillips entered the home. Anthony Long then repeatedly tried to stab Phillips. Phillips, who suffered minor injuries, escaped with his son and called for help. When police arrived, they found Sonia Long dead inside the home. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled with a belt.

In finding Anthony Long guilty of first-degree murder, the jury found no basis for the defense’s claim that the defendant suffered from a diminished capacity that prevented him from forming the necessary intent to commit first-degree murder.

Note: For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit www.charmeckda.com. For updates and other information, “like” the DA’s Office on Facebook at www.facebook.com/charmeckda and follow us on Twitter: @CharMeckDA

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