An Egg Harbor Township man was sentenced to 45 years in prison Tuesday in the 2018 killing of an Atlantic City father.
Troy Demby, 38, must serve at least 36 more years before he is eligible for parole.
Raphael Terrigino, 30, was found dead at about 7:45 a.m. Feb. 2, 2018 inside his car on Stenton Place in Pleasantville after police were called to the scene.
Demby was accused of renting a car and getting a burner phone at Walmart in Egg Harbor Township before meeting with Terrigino and shooting him in the head.
The motive was allegedly robbery. But the jury that convicted Demby of murder found acquitted him of felony murder — a death that occurs during the course of another crime.
They also hung on a weapon charge.
In court Tuesday, Demby's attorney tried to use that to say the verdict was uneven and that the jurors didn't really believe he killed anyone.
"They were convinced Mr. Demby killed Mr.Terrigino," Assistant Prosecutor David Ruffenach said. "They just were not convinced it was during the court of a robbery."
Demby also was convicted of possession of about 8 ounces of cocaine, which was found in the home where he was arrested.
In addition to the 45-year sentence, Superior Court Judge Donna Taylor also sentenced him to 15 years for intent to distribute a dangerous substance, which will run concurrent and not add time to the longer sentence.
“I want to thank the Major Crimes Unit and the Pleasantville Police Department for their outstanding work in solving this case and bringing this defendant to justice," Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said. "I have always stressed my belief that a homicide is the most heinous crime against society and when it occurs, defendants should receive as much time as possible. This defendant will have 45 years to think about the pain he caused the victim’s family and all of those affected by this senseless killing.”
Demby must serve 85 percent of his sentence under the No Early Release Act. He has served about two years and eight months. He will be about 73 when he is eligible for parole.
