Christopher Ireland, 42, confessed to hacking two women with a meat cleaver after a New Year’s Eve celebration in California. His wife and son were waiting for him outside.
On Friday, Ireland received his punishment for the vicious killings of Yolanda Holtrey, 59, and Michelle Luke, 49.
Documents state that Ireland and his famiy went to Holtrey’s residence for the party on December 31, 2016.
Ireland stated that Luke was flirting with him despite his wife being present. He took his family to the car, went back inside the home, and had sex with Luke.
He said that Holtrey busted the two, became mad, and demanded that he tell his spouse about the affair. Ireland said that Holtrey cut him with a meat cleaver, and he was able to get it and cut her back.
Ireland testified that he left and then came back to Luke hitting him with a Kettlebell. He then headbutted her, slammed her down, and struck her with the meat clever.
Ireland’s lawyers said that both killings were in self-defense.
Camera footage showed Ireland later returning, dragging both bodies out on blankets, and putting them in his car. Afterwards, he tried to set the home on fire. He then transported the bodies to a wooded location.
Prosecutors didn’t buy Ireland’s story. They had argued that Ireland killed the women, possibly because Holtrey caught him trying to sexually assault Luke.
Ireland was charged with first-degree murder and one count of arson. He will spend life in prison without the chance of parole.
