Oregon woman gets life in prison for husband's murder

The Blade
Buy This Image

Jennelle McGuire, 20, with attorney Gretchen DeBacker, enters an Alford plea and is sentenced today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

The wife of an Oregon man found stabbed to death in a ditch was convicted of murder today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Jennelle McGuire, 20, was to have gone on trial Monday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court but instead entered an Alford plea to murder in the death of Devin McGuire, 35. A more serious charge of aggravated murder was dismissed as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Judge Gene Zmuda sentenced her to life in prison. She will be eligible to apply for parole after 15 years.

Passing bicyclists discovered the body of Mr. McGuire in an Oregon ditch Aug. 30, 2011. An autopsy revealed he had been stabbed 22 times in the chest.

In October, Jennelle McGuire’s boyfriend, Shawn Brazeal, 22, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter, obstructing justice, and tampering with evidence stemming from Mr. McGuire’s death. Brazeal, who admitted he held Mr. McGuire as his wife stabbed him, was sentenced in January to 15 years in prison as part of a negotiated plea agreement.