ROCKVILLE, Md. -
A judge has sentenced a Gaithersburg man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his 12-year-old stepdaughter.
43-year-old David Hang was found guilty of first-degree murder of Jessica Nguyen by a jury in August.
Nguyen was found stabbed to death in the basement of her family's Gaithersburg home on May 31, 2011.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Hang killed his stepdaughter because he was caught in a sham marriage to her mother and he had fallen in love with another woman. They say he was also upset over money he believed he was owed. Investigators say Hang married Nguyen's mother so she could get U.S. citizenship.
Investigators say Hang stabbed Nguyen 43 times with a small sword. A sheath from the sword with his DNA on it was found beside her body.
In a recorded phone call from the jail, Hang is heard saying Nguyen's mother is punished by her death and "it serves her right."
During the hearing, Nguyen's mother said Hang destroyed her life. Her sister told the judge Jessica was her best friend and wondered why an innocent 12-year-old honor student could be stabbed to death by her "psychotic stepfather."
Hang said he will fight the conviction. He declared his innocence, calling himself a victim too. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy says he was personally offended by Hang's comments.
"This was a brutal murder," said McCarthy. "I'm glad the jury and the judge recognized how dangerous this man really is. Life without the possibility of parole in this matter is the just and correct sentence for the heinous crime he committed."
Hang's sentencing was originally scheduled for October 29, but was postponed due to Superstorm Sandy.
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David Richard Hang
Jessica Nguyen
