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Pocono News Section
Man Sentenced To Life for Double Murder
Man Sentenced To Life for Double Murder - Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:40PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 @ 11:40pm EDT
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - A man convicted of double murder in the Poconos will spend life in prison. Wednesday a jury found Jason Koehler guilty of murder. Thursday the same jury delivered a life sentence. That will mean decades behind bars. Koehler is 26 years old.
On his way out of the court house he thanked the jury for choosing the life sentence rather than the death penalty.
Jennifer Cullinan's family waited five years for this day. Her sister Donna Smith cried, "It's been five years of agony."
In February 2004 Jason Koehler shot Jennifer to death in her Polk Township house. Smith said, "She was a hardworking kindhearted person who was steered down the wrong path and didn't deserve to die."
Prosecuters said Koehler shot the woman because she saw him murder someone else, his drug dealer Jason Gray. Koehler claimed he shot Gray in self defense and shot Cullinan by accident. The jury didn't believe him and gave that life sentence. "A fate he richly deserves based upon the horrible actions he took against the victims," said Monroe County District Attorney E. David Christine. Smith added, "We're very pleased with the verdict and feel that justice was served."
Koehler took the stand before the sentencing. he cried and told the jury he was sorry. Smith thought it was just an act.
While Jennifer's family is glad Koehler will remain locked up. They say that can't heal the holes in their hearts or bring back the woman who they loved so much. Jennifer's daughter said it's not fair that Koehler's two children can visit him in prison but she has to visit her mother in a cemetery.
Smith said, "Our sister, daughter and mother, Jennifer did not get a second chance."
Koehler could have avoided all of this. Several years ago he plead guilty to the murders. A judge sentenced him to 40-80 years behind bars. But Koehler changed his mind about his plea and appealed for a new trial.
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