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Lucylastic -> Justice for the family of Reneisha McBride (9/3/2014 12:13:06 PM)
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Michigan man who shot Renisha McBride on porch gets 17-32 years
http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-porch-killer-sentenced-20140903-story.html
an who shot and killed Renisha McBride while she was knocking on his door just before dawn in a Detroit suburb was sentenced to 17 to 32 years in prison after an emotional hearing that had both the defense attorney and a judge in tears as emotional family members looked on.
Theodore Wafer, 55, who was convicted last month of second-degree murder for shooting 19-year-old Renisha McBride in the face, read a short apology.
"To the parents, family and friends of Renisha McBride, I apologize from the bottom of my heart and I am truly sorry for your loss. I can only hope and pray," he said tearing up, "that somehow you can forgive me."
Judge Dana M. Hathaway then sentenced Wafer to 15 to 30 years in prison, plus two consecutive years for the gun crime.
McBride’s sister and father both read short statements before the sentencing; her father also read a statement from a younger sister who she said was having panic attacks and couldn’t attend the hearing.
“Many days I think about the good times we shared and how it was cut short by a person's cowardly actions,” said McBride’s sister, Jasmine McBride. "I was taught to apologize when I made a mistake or an accident. Never once had I heard Mr. Wafer send his condolences.... I find it very hard to believe that his actions were an accident."
Defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter argued with prosecutors before the sentencing, reminding Judge Dana M. Hathaway that this was not a premeditated murder.
“He has never been so afraid in his life,” Carpenter said. “He was in an extreme emotional state.... It is Mr. Wafer’s state of mind that you need to look at.”
Carpenter presented a number of reasons that the judge could give a lesser sentence, including Wafer’s age, 55, arguing that 17 years was a “death sentence.” She also said that he could be rehabilitated -- and that the jury didn’t want him to die in prison.
“They don’t think he's a bad guy,” she said, tearing up. “They don’t want a life sentence, they told you that.”
Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of 17 years. Wafer was found guilty of second-degree murder, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years, plus two for a gun crime.
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