(Cedar City, UT) - Martin Chris Nelson, 45, was sentenced Friday to two consecutive terms of life in prison without parole for two aggravated murder convictions, with one concurrent term of one to 15 years for theft by receiving stolen property by Judge Michael Westfall.

Nelson of Beryl, was found guilty on December 8, 2009 after a six-day jury trial in the shooting deaths of Derek Davis, 34 and Chad Grijalva, 34 both from Washington County.

Nelson made no comment Friday morning as he stood shackled before Judge Westfall to receive sentence and be transported to Utah State Prison from 5th District Court. Nelson could have received the death penalty but both the prosecution and the defense came to an agreement that life without parole was better suited. Family members and friends of both murder victims addressed Judge Westfall and spoke in favor of the agreement.

Defense attorney Stephen McCaughey said his client plans to appeal, which a different attorney will handle and has 30 days to file with the Utah Supreme Court. "If we did something wrong as lawyers, we need someone outside to look at that," McCaughey said, explaining why another attorney would take over the case.