CHEROKEE COUNTY (KYTX) -- A Cherokee County jury has handed down a life sentence to Rebecca Barker for the murder of her husband.
Barker, 53, didn't want to comment on the court's ruling, but when the verdict was read she did take a moment to check in with her family -- mouthing the words, "It will be okay" and "I love you."
Barker's daughter, Marsha Mabrey, spoke about the sentence exclusively to CBS19.
"There's no excuse for what my mom did and...I know the Lord has his hand in everything and there's a reason for everything, but I'm brokenhearted," she said.
Barker pleaded guilty last month to shooting and killing her 76-year-old husband, Jerry, in his recliner back in February -- at first telling investigators that she snapped after years of abuse, but later changing her story several times.
"I think that Rebecca is very manipulative, I think she's very cold, and she's only concerned about herself," Cherokee County District Attorney Rachel Patton said. "I truly believe that Rebecca Barker has never loved anyone but herself."
Once the case was handed over to the jurors, it took them less than 30 minutes to reach the unanimous decision to send Barker to prison for the rest of her life.
Barker's daughter says she had hoped the jury would show some leniency. "I knew that she would spend quite a bit of time in prison, but I was shocked about the life sentence," she said.
For Jerry Barker's family, the verdict brings some sense of peace.
"She got what she deserved and God will take over from there," Jerry Barker's son, Jerry Michael Barker, said. "I never want to see that woman in my entire life ever again."
"It's just cold," Jerry's other son, Gary Barker, said. "The whole thing was cold. I don't see how anybody could have a heart to do something like that...Dad, if you're listening, I love you very much."
Rebecca Barker also served 10 years of deferred adjudication for the attempted murder of her first husband in Liberty County nearly 20 years ago.
"The first victim feels extremely bad about what happened with Mr. Barker," Patton said. "I think he almost feels a little bit responsible, because he gave her that second chance."
Barker will be eligible for parole in about 30 years, when she is in her eighties.
Her family tells us she's planning to appeal her life sentence.
