CANYON COUNTY, Idaho (Court TV/Scripps News Idaho) — An Idaho man was sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to murdering his daughter.
Delbert Cornish appears at his sentencing hearing Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Court TV)
In Nov., Delbert Cornish pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Hope “Onyx” Cornish. In a courtroom confession, Delbert told the judge, “I pulled the trigger. I shot my daughter.”
During the sentencing hearing, the state laid out its case, saying Delbert shot Onyx, who prosecutors referred to as his stepdaughter, through the top of the head on the morning of Aug. 18. After the shooting, he sat in Onyx’s presence as she gasped for air for approximately 20 minutes before she died. He later placed a pride flag over Onyx’s body and shot the family cat, Sammy.
In the hours after the killing, Delbert watched TV and drank liquor for hours as he waited for his son, Lucian, to return home from school. When Lucian returned home, a conflict ensued, and he disarmed his father, escaped the house, and called 911. The state then argued that the defendant should spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The defense explained that Delbert suffered from mental health and substance abuse issues during the time of the shooting; however, they admitted there was no excuse for Delbert’s actions. The defense added that Delbert would like to pen an apology letter to Lucian.
Addressing the court, Delbert expressed regret over his actions. “I apologize to LGBTQ community,” said Delbert, “I wish my son was here, I wish I could apologize. Once I saw his eyes, I couldn’t do it. I hope I get to talk to him one day.”
Onyx’s mother, Crystal Thompson, delivered an impact statement during the hearing, saying, “Onyx deserved to grow up. She deserved a future.”
Delbert was also sentenced to 29 years in prison for assault with intent to kill and 6 months for cruelty to animals, both to be served consecutively to his sentence of life in prison.
Scripps News Boise, an E.W. Scripps Company, contributed to this report.
