A man convicted of the stabbing death of his father was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Sequoyah County District Court in Sallisaw Monday.

Schuyler "Woody" Scarborough, 41, of Vian was convicted in September of the May 21, 2003, first-degree murder of his father, Chester, at the elder Scarborough's home in Vian.

Chester Scarborough had celebrated his 69th birthday three days before his death. He was found in his home bleeding to death from 13 stab wounds.

Woody Scarborough was arrested early on June 2 in a friend's apartment in Vian where he had sought refuge the day before.

The jury only took 15 minutes Sept. 22 to decide the fate of Scarborough after the conclusion of his trial. The jury returned with a guilty verdict and recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Scarborough acted as his own attorney throughout the trial.

After the hearing, Woody Scarborough told Your TIMES that this case was about his family and not about a brutal murder. He said his father was not stabbed 13 times, and he claimed there was drug activity going on in his father's house.

"This here is not justice," Scarborough said.

Prior to the reading of the sentence, Associate District Judge A.J. Henshaw asked Scarborough if he understood the proceedings and that the pre-sentencing investigation report was completed.

"I don't understand," Scarborough said. "I'm going to file appeal on this case."

Scarborough said he didn't make any report to the investigator from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) probation and parole division who conducted the pre-sentence investigation.

Henshaw said throughout the report, it stated that "the subject refused to provide information needed for this investigation." Henshaw said the ODOC used other sources to get the information needed.

"It's evident from reading this report, the defendant has a substantial history of disregarding the criminal statutes of the state of Oklahoma," Henshaw said.

Henshaw read Scarborough's long criminal history, which includes a previous second-degree murder conviction, as well as several burglary counts, an assault and battery charge, and uttering a forged instrument.

Scarborough was convicted of murdering his wife in 1988, but was released after serving less than 10 years in prison.

"Mr. Scarborough has in fact killed his father, after discharging all those years," Henshaw said.

Henshaw noted that Scarborough was only 41 years old.

"It appears that even sentencing Mr. Scarborough to life in prison did not prevent him from killing again," Henshaw said.

Henshaw said Scarborough was found guilty of killing his father, and sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Henshaw said Scarborough will also be assessed court costs in this matter, the costs of the pre-sentencing investigation, and the costs of any transcripts provided. Those costs will be assessed to Scarborough's prison account.

"Mr. Scarborough, this is very important. You have 10 days from today to file notice of intent to appeal," Henshaw said.

Henshaw told Scarborough that in the intent to appeal he has to designate what records he wanted the appellate court to review on appeal. He also told him that he had 90 days to file a petition in error with the Court of Criminal Appeals, along with supporting briefs of case law.

Henshaw noted that although Scarborough has represented himself, there is a completely separate branch that handles appeals for the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.

"You can continue to represent yourself, but I strongly recommend you don't do that," Henshaw said.

Henshaw warned Scarborough that the appellate court has strict rules.

"You could miss one deadline and that's it," Henshaw said.

Henshaw told him that the time lines for appeals have changed since the 1980s when Scarborough was previously convicted.

"I choose to represent myself," Scarborough said.

Scarborough also told Henshaw he was going to file a civil suit against the Vian Police Department. He claimed officers violated his constitutional rights because of the color of his skin.

"A black man has no business in your courtroom," he said.

Scarborough pointed to the prosecution and told the court the judge that the assistant district attorneys never produced "much evidence in the case."

"This is not justice in this court," he said.

Scarborough claimed he had been set up.

"I will be back in this courtroom," Scarborough said. "I will be back."

Henshaw ordered Scarborough to be held in the Sequoyah County Jail in Sallisaw for 10 days before he is transported to the ODOC.