quote, murder their son. >> this former u.s. marine has apparently been sentenced to death by an iranian court. iran's state-run news agencies say he was convicted of working for an enemy country and during trial he confessed to the motivation behind his efforts to infiltrate iran's intelligent system as a cia agent. the cia referred us to the white house, which along with the state department, calls on the iranians to give him access to legal council and -- >> we consider the charges are a fabrication and he ought to be released. >> the family previously said all he had was a government-appointed lawyer. asked by cnn about his sentencing, his family in michigan would not go on am are but in a statement, his mother said they are terrified by the news. the family denied that amir is a spy and said that his very life is being exploited for political gain. >> could someone come down quickly and talk to us? thanks. the iranian intersection here in