CROWLEY - Daniel Prince, the man convicted of the 2005 double murder of Angella Matte and Jackie Campbell in Branch trailer then setting it ablaze, is currently undergoing the sentencing phase of his trial.

Jurors wept openly as Matte’s two young sons, Bradley and Christopher, read their statements. Prince sat stoically, showing no emotion whatsoever.

“I miss my mother and wish she was here,” said Bradley Matte. “I just want to go home and hug her.”

“I want to tell you that I miss my mother all the time,” said Christopher Matte. “Because of the man that killed my mom, I can’t sleep at night because I’m afraid he might come get me. I’m afraid of fire and I can’t go to bonfires because I think about my mother burning.”

Matte and Cambell were out celebrating Cambell’s 40th birthday on the evening she was killed.

Even veteran Sheriff’s Officers were becoming emotional and Judge Kristian Earles called for a recess so that the jury could compose themselves.

“I’ve sat through several murder trials and it doesn’t get harder than that,” said a veteran of the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office who wished to remain unidentified.

It is possible that the sentence will be handed down today.

The Post-Signal will have more as details become available.