"Unbridled Greed"

Judge Sim Lake

At the sentencing phase of the trial, Julia Tomala attempted to convince U.S. District Judge Sim Lake to significantly boost Lundy's sentence. She again tried to make the case that Lundy had killed Alydar in a desperate attempt to stave off financial ruin.

"To believe otherwise," Tomala said, according to Texas Monthly, "one would have to accept a string of coincidences that defy common sense."

Though obviously impressed by Tomala's impassioned argument, the judge wasn't quite convinced.

"Although there is evidence Mr. Lundy had the motive and opportunity to injure Alydar," Judge Lake said, "and although there is some physical evidence, I am not able to conclude by the preponderance of the evidence that Mr. Lundy is responsible for the death of Alydar."

Gary Matthews was sentenced to 21 months in prison, but in a sign that perhaps some justice was served on behalf of the fallen champion thoroughbred, the judge sentenced Lundy to four and a half years behind bars, more than double Matthews' sentence.