WAKE COUNTY, N.C. – The sentencing phase is underway for a Wake County man who murdered his in-laws and shot his estranged wife in the face.
Defense attorneys for Nathan Holden didn't dispute that he committed those acts but they've been trying to keep him off death row.
During the trial, they argued that he should be convicted of second-degree murder stating the attack was not premeditated.
However, the jury thought otherwise and convicted Holden of first degree murder.
The trial will now move into the death penalty phase.
Nathan Holden was convicted for killing his in-laws, Angelia and Sylvester Taylor in April of 2014.
Officials also say he then shot his estranged wife, Latonya Allen in the face and chest as the couple's three children were huddled in a nearby closet.
During the trial the doctor who operated on Allen called her survival miraculous.
Since this is a capital murder trial, a penalty phase is required.
It includes opening and closing statements, experts, witnesses and jury deliberations.
Jurors could determine Holden's fate at any moment Tuesday.
They will ultimately determine if he'll receive the death penalty or spend the rest of his life in prison.
Opening statements for this phase are set to get underway at 9:30 Tuesday morning.