Gary Martin told the sentencing judge he did not lie about his claim of self-defense when he gunned down three young men with an assault rifle. Carl Cox, Jr., Christopher Legg, and Dustin Hughes were shot to death Memorial Day 2007 in a road near Martin's house.

The judge ordered the maximum: Two first degree life with mercy sentences for first degree murder and a 40-year second degree term, all consecutive. He will serve at least 70 years.

In a letter to the judge, Martin claimed to have been the victim of mob violence, perjury and arson. His house was torched and burned a year ago while he was in jail.