Cape Coral man gets life in prison for killing father

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Cape Coral resident Matthew Marshall was sentenced to life in prison Monday for killing and dismembering his father.

Marshall represented himself in court – despite repeated advice from a judge not to do so – while on trial for the death of his father, James Richard Marshall, 58.

A judge found Matthew Marshall guilty in October for second-degree homicide without premeditation, abuse of a dead body, tampering with evidence and fraud.

James Richard Marshall was originally reported missing on Feb. 19.  Authorities initially arrested Matthew Marshall on preliminary fraud charges. James Richard Marshall’s body was later found dismembered near their Island Cove home.

For the second count, he received two to 15 years in the Department of Corrections, and for the third count, Marshall received three to five years.

Following the trial, Matthew entered the courtroom defiantly refusing his right to a lawyer.

“You guys did a horrible job at your fake trial, ” Matthew Marshall told the judge.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Frank Porter felt this case was the “most gruesome and brutal murder trial of my career,” and described Matthew Marshall as “a danger to the community and to his family.”

“It’s my intent that you never see the sun rise or the sun set or take a breath outside the DOC for the rest of your natural life,” Porter said.

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