Third suspect in killing of father, daughter convicted

LYNN – The third suspect charged in the heartless 2005 killings of a father and daughter was found guilty Monday and sentenced to life in prison without parole, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office said.Not long after jurors found Phap Buth, 33, guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, Lawrence Superior Court Judge Richard Welch sentenced him to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.Jurors only deliberated for four hours and 30 minutes before reaching its verdict, according to DA spokesman Steve O’Connell.Robert A. Finnerty, 47 and his daughter Amy A. Dumas, 16, were shot to death inside their home at 58 Cottage St. in Lynn on May 16, 2005.Buth, who last lived at 68 Thornton St., Revere, Pytou Heang, 29, formerly of 158 Lawton Ave., Lynn and Chon Son, 22, formerly of 591 Lincoln Ave., Saugus, stormed into the home when shots were fired.The suspects had visited the home earlier in the evening to purchase marijuana, O’Connell said. They returned around 11 p.m. and pushed past wife and mother Judith Finnerty holding guns.Finnerty ran outside in fear when she heard shots ring out.The suspects first approached Robert Finnerty, who was seated and using the assistance of a walker, and shot him in the chest with a nine-millimeter handgun.In the chaos, Dumas tried to intervene to save her dad but was shot in the back. Both were later pronounced dead at local hospitals.Son pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and a single charge of home invasion earlier this month. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after he completes at least 27 years in prison on a charge of home invasion.Heang was found guilty June 4 after a trial. He was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole.At Heang’s sentencing hearing, Judith Finnerty gave a sullen victim’s impact statement.”I’m alone. I’m empty inside,” she said. “I don’t think he should have the right to live.”Finnerty said she currently receives psychiatric counseling and has lived in fear since her family was murdered.