Published: Less than 50 min ago
He was 13 years old when he murdered his mother and his two year older sister.
Now he is 16 – and has been sentenced to 80 years in prison.
He wanted a lighter sentence because of his age, but the judge said:
– You didn’t give your sister the opportunity to do something of her own, but you ask me to do it for you?
Why Connor Crowe shot and killed his mother and sister on that day in September 2020, no one still knows.
After shooting his mother, Melissa Rowland, 39, and his older sister, Madison, 15, he ran into the street in Weirton, West Virginia, claiming a stranger had killed them.
But he had gunpowder on his hands – and there were no signs that anyone else had entered the house.
Pleaded guilty
Last November, Connor Crowe admitted the murders, after waiving his right to be tried in juvenile court or by jury.
His defense attorneys argued for a lighter sentence because of his young age at the time of the murders, but Judge Jason Cuomo was merciless in handing down the maximum sentence — twice 40 years in prison:
– I want to remind you that your sister was 15 years old when you murdered her, he said to the 16-year-old.
– She was younger than you are right now, and you showed her no consideration, no mitigation other than a death sentence.
– Your sister would have graduated from high school, I think, a week or two ago. She will never have the opportunity to go to college. She will never get to walk down the aisle with her dad and get married or have children of her own. You took it from her.
“I am satisfied”
16-year-old Connor Crowe, due to his young age, can apply for parole after 15 years. He will remain in the juvenile justice system until he turns 18, then he will be transferred to an adult prison.
– I am satisfied with the outcome, said prosecutor Steven Dragisich after the verdict.
– I think he should be sentenced to 80 years in prison and I am glad that the judge thought the same.