Ashley Schwamm

He noticed the courtroom was divided down the middle with Ashley's family and friends on the left side and just a small showing for James on the right.

The Schwamm family's good name has now come down to this.

As part of the deal, James had signed an agreed statement of fact confirming all the evidence uncovered in the investigation.

All the disturbing details were true.

So this is essentially showing, even though this is second degree, this is telling you how diabolical it was.

The courtroom fell silent as the prosecutor read aloud, step by step, how James murdered his wife.

Brittany couldn't believe she'd ever defended him.

I feel so guilty for it now.

I just wish I had the opportunity to apologize for it.

The judge invited Ashley's friends and family to speak.

You gave a very powerful victim impact statement.

What was your core thought that you wanted to get across?

She didn't have to go.

And it wasn't right.

I just want him to pay for what he did.

She was a sister, an aunt, a friend, a mom.

She was amazing.

He took her from you.

Yeah.

He shattered your family.