DETROIT – A suburban Detroit man who shot an unarmed woman on his porch has been sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison for second-degree murder.
Theodore Wafer said he shot 19-year-old Renisha McBride on Nov. 2 because he said he feared for his life, but a jury rejected his claim of self-defense.
"I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I am truly sorry for your loss," Wafer said. "From my fear, I caused a loss of life who was too young to leave this world. And for that, I carry that guilt and sorrow forever."
Web extra: Theodore Wafer reads apology in court
Prosecutors had argued that Wafer, 55, was safe inside his locked house and should have called 911 instead of opening the front door and shooting McBride through the screen door.
"This man has ruined our family's life. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about my daughter," said Walter Simmons, McBride's father.
McBride's sister also spoke, saying she would eventually forgive Wafer but could never forget what happened.
"Losing my sister was one of the most devastating times of my life," said Jasmine McBride. "Mr. Wafer, your actions impact a lot of other people other than just yourself."
Web extra: Renisha McBride's father, sister speak in court
It's not known why Renisha McBride was on Wafer's porch, although McBride was drunk and had been in a car wreck earlier that night, about a half-mile away in Detroit.
Judge Dana Margaret Hathaway said she didn't believe Wafer was a "cold-blooded" killer, but that his decisions didn't excuse a death.
"This is one of the saddest cases I have ever had," Hathaway said. "What do we have? One life gone and one life ruined."
Web extra: Judge issues sentencing for Theodore Wafer
Hathaway sentenced Wafer to 15 to 30 years on the second-degree murder charge, seven to 15 years on his manslaughter charge conviction and two years for his felony firearms conviction.