Andre Edwards Sentenced To Life In Prison For 2001 Murder

A Nash County judge ruled that a man convicted of killing a young mother will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Jurors told the judge that they decided unanimously that Andre Edwards should receive life in prison, but two jurors disagreed, claiming the jury was deadlocked. The judge then sent the jury home and ruled that Edwards will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Edwards was convicted in the kidnapping, rape and murder of Ginger Hayes in June 30, 2001. Hayes was found beaten to death with a 30-pound tire rim. Hayes' baby, Nicholas, was left at the scene of the crime to die.

Before the sentence was read, Jeremy Hayes, Ginger's husband, made one more plea to the court for the death penalty. Edwards also made a tearful apology to the family.