Before handing down his sentence Friday, a judge told Mitchell Heng — convicted last month of killing a clerk and setting fire to Sifton Market — that he thinks “this was probably the most heartless” crime he’s seen.
Clark County Superior Court Judge Daniel Stahnke then handed down a more than 31-year prison sentence — the high-end of the standard sentencing range of 281 to 374 months.
Heng, who testified at trial, said nothing Friday, despite hearing emotional statements from family and friends of 47-year-old Amy Marie Hooser.
His attorneys, Matthew Hoff and John Terry, said their client will appeal his convictions, and Heng, 24, refused to sign some of his court paperwork.
Heng’s impassive demeanor was in marked contrast to his reaction to the verdict in September, during which he dissolved into tears and collapsed outside the courtroom. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree arson, but he was acquitted of first-degree robbery.
During trial, Heng maintained that he didn’t kill Hooser on the morning of Jan. 15, 2017. He claimed a mystery methamphetamine dealer known as “Zip” was behind the crimes. Heng testified that Hooser sold drugs from the market, 13412 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., and owed her dealer $6,000. Heng said he went to the market that morning to get money from Hooser. Zip was already there, Heng said, and became enraged, beat Hooser to death and ordered him to set fire to the store.
Heng was the only person seen on store surveillance cameras with Hooser, however, and the cameras captured him starting the fire.
Prosecutors argued Heng’s testimony about Zip was just part of a long list of fabrications. And on Friday, Deputy Prosecutor Aaron Bartlett called Heng’s claims about what happened “evolving and ridiculous.” Heng’s testimony about Hooser being a drug dealer was not supported by the evidence, he said.
Bartlett argued Heng has shown a lack of accountability and remorse.
“We appreciate the jury’s hard work and attention over the course of the trial,” he wrote in an email after sentencing. “We strongly believe they rendered a just verdict. We are hopeful that Heng’s conviction and sentence helps give Amy’s family as much closure as possible.”
Several people addressed Heng during the hearing on behalf of Hooser.
Her best friend, Andrea Thayer-Shelton, read a poem, punctuated with stifled sobs. Hooser’s aunt told Heng he has an “empty soul” and called him a “cowardly slug.”
“You have no power, none, zip,” she said, before walking away.
Hooser’s mother, Gretchen Edwards, told Heng “you’re facing a very dark period in your life. … I imagine you’re scared and angry and sad, and unable to think about anything else. … I hope my words reach you later.”
Edwards told Heng, unlike her daughter, he still has a life and asked how he intends to spend it. She encouraged him to become a better person, respect his family and grow up.
“The world needs more love. It requires seeing outside yourself,” she said.
In asking for a 23-year sentence, Terry, the defense attorney, argued that Heng’s youthfulness and still-developing brain played a role in his immature and impulsive behavior.
However, Stahnke pointed out that Heng had previously been convicted of second-degree assault, in which he beat a man so severely he fractured his face.
“There is historical evidence about your abusive behaviors,” he told Heng, adding that the video he watched at trial showed Heng to be “incredibly thoughtful about the continued criminal behavior.”
Heng’s attorneys declined to comment after sentencing.
Edwards, who embraced family and friends outside the courtroom, said she expected Heng to stay silent. “What can he say?” she asked.
“I’m not sure if what I said had any effect on him, but I said what I needed to say,” Edwards said, adding that Heng got the sentence he deserved.
“There’s no good that came from this,” Hooser’s stepfather, Chris Campbell said. He and Edwards agreed, “This is not a happy day.”
Source: https://www.columbian.com
Be First to Comment