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TOWANDA – Life without the possibility of parole.
That was the sentence given to Michael Jason Houseweart, 28, of Canton, after he pleaded guilty in Bradford County Court Monday to first degree murder in the January death of Michelle Lynn Inch, 32, of Montoursville.
Houseweart said he understood what he was doing in answer to Judge Maureen T. Beirne’s questions before she sentenced him.
“You understand that you are pleading guilty to the ‘intentional killing’ of Michelle Inch?”
He responded that he did understand and that he did “shoot her in the right arm and torso with a shotgun, stabbed her in the lung area and struck her with the shotgun,” on Jan. 26.
Inch’s body was found by passers-by March 18 near Schrader Creek in Overton Township.
By pleading guilty, Houseweart forfeited his right to a jury or bench trial.
The plea agreement was coordinated between Chief Public Defender Richard Wilson and Bradford County District Attorney Daniel Barrett.
Barrett said Houseweart was not offered any deal to avoid the death penalty, and that the aggravating factors to make the death penalty a possibility just “weren’t there.”
Barrett said he was “satisfied” with the sentence.
Barrett said he knew the prosecution had a compelling case from the time of Houseweart’s arrest, when he “pretty well gave it up.”
Houseweart blamed part of what he did on being “messed up on drugs.”
At first, Houseweart said he “did not go there with the intent to hurt her.”
“We drove down to a secluded spot in Bradford County, and we were using drugs and messing around with a shotgun.”
But in the next breath said, “I intentionally caused her death. I am very sorry for that and will never forgive myself for it.”
Inch’s cousin, Kristy Frey, of Williamsport, read a statement from Inch’s parents, Gary and Linda Inch: “Michelle loved you, she let you into her heart and trusted you, and therefore we trusted you. We welcomed you and shared our home with you, and you murdered our daughter.”
The statement also talked about the agony he caused them by not disclosing where Michelle’s body could be found.
“You sat there in jail for two months with search parties out looking for her and we wondered every day if that would be the day she would be found.”
Inch’s parents also said that though they have “accepted that our Michelle is gone,” other family members are “struggling to move on.
“The trauma has been devastating, indescribable.
“The Inches expressed that being Christians, they may “someday be able to forgive you; knowing that you are paying for your crime will give us some peace of mind.”
Frey’s personal statement expressed her horror at what Michelle must have gone through at Houseweart’s hands.
“I believe it was your intention to kill her when you took her away. The fear, pain and loneliness she must have felt,” Frey said.
“I don’t forgive you, but hopefully someday I can. What you have taken from us, we will never recover from.”
“I am not even sure that the maximum is enough,” Frey said, adding “I want you to remember her face every day, and what you did to her.”
“The whole situation is pretty tragic,” Barrett said following the proceeding.
“He ruined a lot of people’s lives and his own in the process,” Barrett added.
Houseweart still faces charges in Lycoming County in connection with the home invasion, robbery, arson and attempted murder of Inch’s parents.
He was remanded to Bradford County Correctional Facility, where he will remain until such time as an arraignment is set for him in Lycoming County Court.
He eventually will serve his sentence in a state prison, possibly Camp Hill, Barrett said.