Daniel Messel was sentenced in Brown Circuit Court this afternoon for the murder of IU student Hannah Wilson.
His sentence — 80 years — is five years short of the maximum the judge could have imposed, but for the 51-year-old, is essentially a life sentence even with the reduction he could receive for good-time credit.
Here’s what we reported on Twitter during sentencing.
Read the final story from the Aug. 10 trial HERE.
Daniel Messel is being sentenced today in Brown Circuit Court. Victim Hannah Wilson’s family is in courtroom. Lots of long hugs and smiles.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Atmosphere in courtroom much lighter than trial. Wilson's family and friends know they have won. Mom looking over remarks she's prepared.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Daniel Messel in Brown Circuit Court for his sentencing wearing black-and-white-striped jail suit — not a suit and tie like during trial.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
One of Messel’s hands has been unshackled so he can take notes. He has opportunity to address the court today, as does the victim's family.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Jeff Wilson, victim's dad: Messel's prior felonies "proof he is a repeat offender and a monster that should be dealt with accordingly."
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Hannah Wilson's dad, about her murder: "It’s beyond belief and an experience you never thought would ever happen to you in a million years."
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Hannah Wilson's dad about daughter Hannah: "There will never be the unspoken understanding of our love of each other"
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Hannah Wilson's father asks court for solitary confinement, "fates worse than death." "I have no compassion for him, court shouldn’t either.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Hannah Wilson's sister Haley to Messel: "I wish I didn’t have to look you in the eyes and defend my sister who can no longer defend herself.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Haley Wilson to Messel: "Because of your actions I am an only child now."
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Haley Wilson to Messel: "You can’t even admit it. You can’t even tell us the truth about what happened. You are a coward.”
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Haley Wilson to Messel: "No other sister will have to feel the pain that I’ve had to experience the past 17 months. You will die alone."
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Hannah Wilson's mother: "I will never know what it feels like to rock her babies to sleep."
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Wilson's mother: You did not know her strength, courage and fighting spirit. … My daughter died a hero that night alone on Plum Creek Road
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
One wish from Hannah Wilson's mother at sentencing: Force Daniel Messel to answer questions about the night her daughter was killed.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Messel: "I am sorry for the Wilson family's loss, but I didn't do it. If it was my daughter, I would want to know what really happened."
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
State asking for max sentence for Messel, mentioning several aggravating circumstances including Hannah Wilson's age, "in prime of life."
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Prosecutor: Defendant again today denied his guilt. He continues to deny after 17 months, 10 full days of trial.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Prosecutor: Daniel Messel's criminal history one of the worst I have seen in my career. What strikes me is his violent history.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Defense: Messel has a right to maintain his innocence. "His lack of remorse … cannot be used against him in sentencing."
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Defense says Messel is a cancer survivor and his health should be mitigating factor, as well as the 20 years he went without police contact.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Judge says range for murder is 45 to 65 years with advisory sentence of 55, plus habitual offender sentence of 6 to 20 years.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Judge sentences Messel to 60 years, plus 20 on habitual offender charge, 80 total. He can earn one day of credit for every three served.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Messel has 30 days to file an appeal to his sentence and conviction, if he chooses to do so.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Brown Countian Kurt Young will be Messel's appeal lawyer.
— BC Democrat (@bcdemocrat) September 22, 2016
Read the sentencing story in the Sept. 28 Brown County Democrat.
