Epps Sentenced To 50 Years In Sharone Bailey Murder

Derrick Demond Epps of Exmore was sentenced Friday in Northampton Circuit Court in the murder of Sharone Bailey of Exmore.

Bailey, a well loved and respected mental health worker came home for lunch on July 9, 2010 and was repeatedly stabbed by Epps, who was also her neighbor.  After being stabbed Mrs. Bailey fled to a neighbors home where Epps followed her and stabbed her again.   She died following the attack.  Epps claimed he "heard voices."

Epps was convicted of 1st degree murder and declined a trial by jury.

In his sentencing Epps received 53 years for 1st degree murder, 10 years for breaking and entering and 2 years for assaulting a police officer.  Out of the total of 65 years 15 of them were suspended.

At 38 years of age, Epps will be 88 years old when he is released from prison.