(WHAS11) The family of the Louisville man convicted of killing his wife is speaking out.
It comes on the same day they learned of both a verdict and the sentence for Jerry Seidl.
A jury recommended Seidl spend 35 years in prison.
Seidl’s son-in-law, Keith Scanlong, spoke on behalf of the family after the sentencing recommendation Friday.
He said his mother-in-law cried out for help from the court system, before she was murdered.
And the family wants the courts to use this case to make changes so this doesn’t happen again.
It took a year-and-a-half for Jerry Seidl to hear the word guilty on Friday; guilty of shooting his wife, Dorene, five times and killing her back in 2008.
After the guilty verdict, the jury took a short time to come back and recommend a sentence of 35 years in prison. Jerry Seidl’s daughter, and other family members, quickly left the court-room and gathered for a minute in a private room. Seidl’s son-in law came out to speak for the family.
Keith Scanlon said, “It’s not life, but he’s going to have to pay for what he did and it’s actually more than we thought; time wise.”
The jury’s sentencing options were 20 to 50 years, or life in prison. With the 35 years recommendation, that means Seidl’s earliest chance for parole is in 20 years; when he’s 90 years old.
Assistant Commonwealth Attorney, Chris Foster, wasn’t sure which way the sentencing would go because of Seidl’s age. “I think a 35-year-sentence for a 70-year-old man speaks volumes, and most important I hope Mr. Seidl gets the message.”
The family is calling it a necessary end to a horrible situation. Just days before Dorene Seidl was shot by her husband she tried to get a protective order against him, but it was denied by a judge.
Friday, for the first time, her family talked about their concern with the court system.
Keith Scanlon said, “When a woman goes to court and says she has a battered relationship, the judge needs to be a little more considerate about what they need and give them a temporary restraining order, until they can have people come in and testify to that fact.”
Now the family says they are ready to move forward and try to heal.
Scanlon said, “It’s a relief; we can finally start healing instead of the wondering about all of it.”
As for Jerry Seidl’s attorney, Bart Adams, he talked to his client after it was all over Friday and right before he was locked up; Adams said his client believes he’s going to die in the penitentiary.
