AN ETERNITY OF EMPTINESS; Mother's pain as Entwistle gets life.

Byline: BY ANTON ANTONOWICZ US CORRESPONDENT

A DEVASTATED mother yesterday told of the "emptiness" her family was left facing as twisted killer Neil Entwistle was jailed for life.

The Briton had claimed his American wife Rachel, 27, shot their daughter Lillian, nine months, then turned the gun on herself.

But he was found guilty of murdering both as they slept cuddled up at home.

Entwistle was stony-faced as he was given two concurrent life sentences with "no possibility of release" for the killings.

And he showed no emotion as he heard "impact" statements from Rachel's family.

Her mum Priscilla Matterazzo, 56, was later reported to have said she faced "an eternity of emptiness". Before sentencing, she took the witness box and read a statement as husband Joe fought back tears.

She said: "Our dream of parents and grandparents have been shattered by the shameful, selfish acts of Neil Entwistle. For him to hide behind an accusation of murder-suicide of this beautiful woman and perfect mother is low and despicable.

"Rachel's family and friends were sentenced without trial by jury and now must go on with the emptiness. Suffering does not begin to describe what we have endured."

Joe added: "You have been judged by a jury on earth. One day you will face the ultimate judgment of your horrific deeds." Entwistle's mother Yvonne wept silently throughout, comforted by her other son Russell. Husband Clifford stared straight ahead. Entwistle, 29, remained seated as judge Diane Kottmyer read the sentence in Woburn, Massachusetts.

She said: "These crimes are incomprehensible.

They involve the murder of a wife and child in defiance of the bonds we recognise as central to our existence, that of husband and wife and parent and child.

"What is easier to comprehend is the magnitude of the loss and pain suffered by Rachel and Lillian's extended family."

She added: "The defendant should not profit from the sale of a story by way of a book to any media outlet."

Former IT consultant Entwistle declined to address the court. As he was ushered out he gave a half-smile to his parents and mouthed: "I'll be all right." His lawyer Elliot Weinstein said he would appeal.

Entwistle had led a depraved secret life after moving to the US, seeking casual sex partners and prostitutes online.

Eventually, unemployed and in debt, he shot his family as they slept at their rented home in Hopkinton, Massachusetts in April 2006.

He fled to the UK, where he was held three weeks later.

Outside court, Russell said: "My brother is innocent."

Yvonne added: "Rachel murdered our granddaughter."

Entwistle will be held at Cedar Junction Prison, near Boston - once home to the Boston Strangler.

CAPTION(S):

PAIN Priscilla on the stand; VILE Entwistle leaves court; MURDERED Rachel and daughter Lillian