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Man sentenced to life in prison for Westfield murders

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Christian Haley will spend the rest of his life in prison.

A judge sentenced him to a life sentence without the possibility of parole Friday afternoon. In March, Haley pleaded guilty to the 2013 murders of Marylyn Erb 52, and Kelly Erb, 23.

The mother and daughter were killed inside their Westfield home.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Haley worked for Todd Erb’s landscaping business. Todd was Marylyn’s husband and Kelly’s father. Investigators say Haley became angry when Todd fired him, so he broke into Todd’s home and killed the two women.

Shortly after the sentencing, Todd read part of his victim impact statement. He also shared with reporters that he had a sense of relief that the case did not have to go to trial.

Since the murders, Todd expressed how he’s been able to cope during one of the darkest moments of his life.

“God allowed me the grace to step back, and say there were one of two things I could have chosen to do,” said Todd. “I could of ran as far (and) as hard away from God, or run quickly to him and allow him to embrace me. I chose the latter.”

Defense attorneys for Haley failed to make a statement after the hearing to 24-Hour News 8.