Clifford Friend sentenced to life in prison for murder of ex-wife

Friend convicted of strangling Lynne Friend in 1994, dumping body in ocean

MIAMI – A South Florida man convicted of killing his ex-wife 20 years ago was sentenced to life in prison Thursday.

Clifford Friend was found guilty of second-degree murder last month in the 1994 death of Lynne Friend.

Shortly before Lynne was reported missing, a judge granted Lynne permission to take their 5-year-old son, Christian, out of state. Prosecutors believed that bitter custody battle was the motive behind the murder.

A former friend of Clifford Friend testified that he strangled his ex-wife and threw her body over the side of his boat into the ocean.

Christian Friend supported his father throughout the trial.

"After sitting here for weeks and listening to all of this unfold, I've never been more sure of his innocence," Christian Friend said during the sentencing hearing.

Lynne Friend's body has never been found.

"I know that he loves me too much to hurt me by taking my mother from me, and despite his feelings, he would never do that to me," Christian Friend said.

However, Judge Teresa Mary Pooler was not swayed, saying Clifford Friend committed a "monotonous act." She sentenced him to life in prison, even though sentencing guidelines in 1994 only called for 22 years.

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About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.