A jury in Monroe County has spared the life of a double killer.
After 45 minutes of deliberation Thursday afternoon, a Monroe County jury sentenced Jason Koehler to life in prison.
Before deliberations began, Koehler held back tears when he told jurors, "I am sorry and I never meant her any harm," speaking about one of his victims, Jennifer Cullinan.
He continued, "I think about her every day and her family and I will continue to do that."
Then jurors began to cry as Koehler mentioned wanting to see his two seven-year-old children.
Cullinan's family told reporters they thought it was all an act.
"I don't think he was remorseful at all. He did not shed a tear during the whole thing until the end when his fate was in their hands," said Donna Smith, Cullinan's cousin.
Koehler was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing Cullinan, third-degree murder for the death of Jason Gray and attempted murder for shooting Jose Joubert.
He was on trial for the shootings at a home near Kresgeville in 2004.
Monroe County Jail Chaplain William Lee testified on Koehler's behalf during sentencing.
"I still believe that everyone should be given another chance. Two lives are gone and we can't retrieve those lives but I just don't see the value of taking another life now," said Reverend Lee.
The jury agreed and 45 minutes after deliberations began, the jury sentenced Koehler to life in prison.
That's a sentence Koehler avoided in 2006 after he initially pleaded guilty to the crimes and was sentenced by a judge to 40 to 80 years on prison.
Koehler later appealed and was a granted a new trial.
"Jason reconsidered and that was his right and I zealously represented him," said J. Michael Farrell, Koehler's attorney.
The decision is still confusing to prosecutors.
"We still can't understand why he would withdraw his plea over objections and risk what happened in this trial, which is life imprisonment. It's a question I don't think I'll ever have an answer to my satisfaction," said Monroe County District Attorney David Christine.
"It's the same as what I've got now," said Koehler while leaving the courthouse. Now sentenced to life in prison, he said he doesn't regret his decision. "Forty years was life."
Farrell said his client plans to appeal.
After 45 minutes of deliberation Thursday afternoon, a Monroe County jury sentenced Jason Koehler to life in prison.
Before deliberations began, Koehler held back tears when he told jurors, "I am sorry and I never meant her any harm," speaking about one of his victims, Jennifer Cullinan.
He continued, "I think about her every day and her family and I will continue to do that."
Then jurors began to cry as Koehler mentioned wanting to see his two seven-year-old children.
Cullinan's family told reporters they thought it was all an act.
"I don't think he was remorseful at all. He did not shed a tear during the whole thing until the end when his fate was in their hands," said Donna Smith, Cullinan's cousin.
Koehler was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing Cullinan, third-degree murder for the death of Jason Gray and attempted murder for shooting Jose Joubert.
He was on trial for the shootings at a home near Kresgeville in 2004.
Monroe County Jail Chaplain William Lee testified on Koehler's behalf during sentencing.
"I still believe that everyone should be given another chance. Two lives are gone and we can't retrieve those lives but I just don't see the value of taking another life now," said Reverend Lee.
The jury agreed and 45 minutes after deliberations began, the jury sentenced Koehler to life in prison.
That's a sentence Koehler avoided in 2006 after he initially pleaded guilty to the crimes and was sentenced by a judge to 40 to 80 years on prison.
Koehler later appealed and was a granted a new trial.
"Jason reconsidered and that was his right and I zealously represented him," said J. Michael Farrell, Koehler's attorney.
The decision is still confusing to prosecutors.
"We still can't understand why he would withdraw his plea over objections and risk what happened in this trial, which is life imprisonment. It's a question I don't think I'll ever have an answer to my satisfaction," said Monroe County District Attorney David Christine.
"It's the same as what I've got now," said Koehler while leaving the courthouse. Now sentenced to life in prison, he said he doesn't regret his decision. "Forty years was life."
Farrell said his client plans to appeal.
