Two Lawrence County men have been sentenced to life in prison after each pleaded guilty to capital murder and attempted capital murder following a 2014 armed robbery at Duncan’s Corner convenience store.

Kegerran Peyton, 26, and Darrion Watts, 25, each pleaded guilty to the death of Nilkanth Patil of Monticello and the attempted capital murder of Layne Sandifer of Monticello, 15th Circuit Court District Attorney Hal Kittrell said today.

Peyton was sentenced by Lawrence County Circuit Court Judge Prentiss G. Harrell to life in prison without the possibility of early release for the capital murder and to 20 years in prison for the attempted capital murder.

Watts was sentenced to serve life in prison for the capital murder and 20 years to serve in prison for the attempted capital murder.

During a commission of an armed robbery at Duncan’s Corner in October 2014, Patil was shot and killed and Sandifer suffered a non-fatal gunshot wound, Kittrell said.

The case was investigated by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and prosecuted by assistant DA Kim Harlin and Lauren Harless.

“This is one of the most shocking and horrific crimes we have prosecuted in Lawrence County,” Kittrell said. “This senseless crime has resulted in tragedy for all parties involved. We hope that by both men accepting responsibility for their actions, this close-knit community can begin to heal.”