A Broome County man will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Steven Colegrove was convicted of 3 counts of first degree murder in Bradford County Court.

He could have been sentenced to death

Action News reporter Gabe Osterhout tells us, friends and family were split by the jury's decision.

After nearly 2 weeks of testimony, 32 year old Steven Colegrove learned his fate.

He will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Colegrove was convicted earlier this week of 3 counts of first and third degree murder.

Jurors believed he killed his parents, Joseph and Marlene Colegrove and brother Michael Colegrove in their Tuscarora Township home in August 2007.

Prosecutors and family members were seeking the death penalty.

"He took 3, he should give 1," said Stanley Colegrove, Steven's Uncle.

"I would have preferred the death penalty verdict but that's nothing we can control or compel and we have the 3 life sentences, that will keep him out of daylight forever," said Daniel Barret

A jury of 7 men and 5 women deliberated for about 2 and a half hours, trying to decide whether to sentence Colegrove to life in prison or death by lethal injection.

But in the end, they couldn't come up with a unanimous decision.

By law, the judge had to impose the life sentence for Colegrove.

Something that pleased some of his friends that testified on his behalf.

Many of whom still believe he is innocent.

"Very happy...very pleased...would still like to see him out," said Melissa Smith, Steven's friend.

"The Steven I know is a generous man, a kind man, and a man that earned my trust many years ago and still has it today," said Michael Manzer, Steven's friend.

Defense attorneys did not comment.

Prosecutors expect them to appeal the guilty verdict.

A judge will formally sentence Colegrove at a later date.

Under the sentence that will be imposed by the court, Colegrove will never be eligible for parole.