Current:Home > MarketsMan who killed 83-year-old woman as a teen gets new shorter sentence -Horizon Finance Path
Man who killed 83-year-old woman as a teen gets new shorter sentence
View
Date:2025-04-15 12:08:43
BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan man who killed an 83-year-old retired nurse when he was a teenager will get an opportunity for parole in the years ahead, despite telling a judge that life behind bars seemed appropriate.
Shawn Commire has been serving a life sentence for the death of Rita Salogar of Bay City, who was beaten with hammers and stabbed in 2007. But Commire became eligible for a new shorter term following a series of state and federal court decisions about how minor offenders are punished.
Judge Joseph Sheeran sentenced Commire to a minimum prison term of 40 years, which means he’ll be eligible for release when he’s in his 50s. The state parole board will have discretion to keep him in custody if certain conditions aren’t met.
“Only you can make it happen. Your brain is fully formed now,” Sheeran said Wednesday, referring to rehabilitation while in prison.
Commire, now 32, was 16 when he and a cousin killed Salogar.
The judge said “no one was ever there” for Commire during a tumultuous childhood of drug use, deep neglect and improper conduct in school.
“That doesn’t mean it was an easy decision,” Sheeran said of the new sentence. “I was and am fully aware of the pain inflicted upon the Salogar family, who has suffered much and long.”
Commire was defiant in court, even refusing to sign documents, MLive.com reported.
“I’d just like to get this over,” he said.
At a hearing in November, Commire told the judge that he didn’t deserve a shorter sentence.
“I feel like it’s unfair to keep putting the (Salogar) family through this,” he said.
The victim’s relatives were unhappy with the new prison term and spoke lovingly of Salogar.
“If you were hungry, she would have fed you,” son David Salogar told Commire. “If you wanted to earn some money, she would have found some chores for you to do around her yard or her house. ... You didn’t have to kill her.”
veryGood! (6876)
Related
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- John Galt Is the Best Place to Shop It Girl Basics and They Start at Just $15
- Emma Roberts Engaged to Actor Cody John: See Her Ring
- The Best Amazon Prime Day 2024 Alternative Sales: 60% Off Wayfair, 50% Off Old Navy, 20% Off MAC & More
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Kirby Smart again addresses Georgia football players driving arrests at SEC media days
- Man who filmed deadly torture gets 226 years in prison for killings of 2 Alaska women: In my movies, everybody always dies
- Thousands of Philadelphia city workers are back in the office full time after judge rejects lawsuit
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- A popular tour guide’s death leads to more scrutiny of border issues
Ranking
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- I'm a Shopping Editor, Here's What I'm Buying From Prime Day 2024: The Top 39 Best Deals
- Biden administration says it wants to cap rent increases at 5% a year. Here's what to know.
- It's Amazon Prime Day! And what the world needs now is a little retail therapy.
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Ingrid Andress Checking Into Rehab After Drunk National Anthem Performance at Home Run Derby
- What to watch as the Republican National Convention enters its second day in Milwaukee
- Internet explodes with 50 Cent 'Many Men' memes following Trump attack; rapper responds
Recommendation
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
Kathie Lee Gifford reveals she's recovering from 'painful' hip replacement surgery
Man charged with murdering 2 roommates after body parts found in suitcases on iconic U.K. bridge
Summer pause: Small business sales growth tapers in June as consumers take a breather on spending
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Emma Roberts Engaged to Actor Cody John: See Her Ring
Victim of Texas inmate set for execution was loving schoolteacher, pillar of her community
Messi 'doing well' after Copa America ankle injury, says he'll return 'hopefully soon'