PICKENS – A Clemson man was sentenced to life without parole Wednesday after a jury found him guilty on three counts in the Pickens County Courthouse.

Clifford Austin Wylie, 53, of 209 Maple Blvd. in Clemson, was found guilty for the Feb. 13, 2009 murder of his wife Melissa Wylie at their home.

Melissa Wylie, known to friends and family as Missy, was pronounced dead shortly after 9 p.m. that night.

After meeting for a little over an hour and a half, the jury found Clifford Wylie guilty of murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and unlawful conduct toward a child.

Missy Wylie left behind two sons, Charlie, now 24, and Pearson, now 9. Pearson is now in Charlie’s custody. Pearson was in the home when the incident occurred.

During the closing statements, assistant solicitor with the 13th Judicial Circuit, Judy Muncson stated that Missy Wylie and the defendant got into an argument that escalated to a point where she called 9-1-1.

“We all have arguments,” Muncson said. “Not only did she call 9-1-1, but she told them ‘My husband has a gun, and he’s going to shoot me.’

“She was afraid she would get shot; she did and she died as a result of this man,” Muncson said, pointing to the defendant.

Muncson then reviewed over the witnesses one last time for the jury.

“The truth is that a man shot his wife maliciously and did so with his 8-year-old son in the house that has caused his son to suffer. He didn’t have to shoot her,” Muncson told the jury.

During the closing statements for the defense, Chief Public Defender, John DeJong told the jury that the act wasn’t out of malice and forethought.

“When Mr. Wylie was greeted at the door by law enforcement, the first thing he said was ‘Call 9-1-1.’ He was concerned, he was upset. He didn’t struggle with police – he didn’t curse them.”

DeJong told the jury to take a good look at the place where Missy Wylie was shot – the right shoulder area.

“Malice and forethought – if you are going to kill someone, you have a loaded revolver and you are within 3 feet or less, you aren’t going to shoot them in the right shoulder,” DeJong said.

The jury went over the evidence, made their decision and found Clifford Wylie guilty on all three charges.

Before Judge Edward Welmaker’s sentencing, three of Missy Wylie’s sisters stood up to speak to the judge about their feelings towards Clifford Wylie’s sentencing. They all asked for him to be put behind bars for life.

Welmaker sentenced Clifford Wylie to 10 years for unlawful conduct toward a child, life without parole for murder and five years for possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime at the State Department of Corrections.

Missy Wylie’s family hugged and held back tears after hearing the sentences.