Mother-son murder pair sentenced to life

A mother and son have each been sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering a businessman, five years after they received an identical sentence for the murder of a wealthy New York widow.

Sante Kimes, 71, was convicted in Los Angeles last year of first-degree murder in the death of David Kazdin.

Her son, Kenneth Kimes, pleaded guilty to the murder in 2003 and testified against his mother.

Judge Kathleen Kennedy-Powell said the younger Kimes was brutalised and manipulated by his mother, but must take responsibility for his crimes.

The mother-son team also murdered New York socialite Irene Silverman.