Man Gets Life for Burying Newborn Alive

A 23-year-old man was convicted of murder Thursday and sentenced to life in prison for burying his newborn son alive just after his girlfriend gave birth in 1995.

The verdict against Billy Stockwell of Watertown came after a two-day jury trial. Stockwell would be eligible for parole after serving 33 years.

Lisa Murphy, now 19, testified Wednesday that Stockwell took the baby from her arms and buried the crying child alive in a shallow grave in the dirt floor of a barn.

Murphy, who told the court that she has since married Stockwell and is again pregnant with a child by him, is charged with criminal responsibility for the death and will be tried later.