CHILLICOTHE, Ohio -
Bill Inman has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for
parole.
Members of the jury spend about two hours deliberating before handing the
judge a recommended sentence. Judge Wallace agreed with the jurors and handed Inman
his sentence of life in prison without the possibility for parole.
Bill Inman was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering his daughter-in-law,
Summer Inman, and placing her body into a septic tank behind a church in Athens
County, in March 2011.
During Wednesday's sentencing phase, the defense brought several witnesses
to the stand to help the jury understand how Bill Inman's past has affected
him.
Bill's sister, Tammy Tripp, told Bill she loved him as she took the stand.
Tripp described their abusive father and the things that she and her brother
went through as children.
Inman was crying as his sister told the jury about how he was beaten as a
child.
Tripp went on to say that bill was the only family member that was there
when she needed someone.
Dr. James Rear don, the psychologist who evaluated Inman said that he was
over-protective of his grandchildren; and when he thought that they were being
abused by Summer Inman's boyfriend, he handled it the only way he knew how.
During Wednesday's hearing, Inman read a statement to Summer Inman's family,
apologizing for what had happened.
Summer's parents tell NBC4 they knew Bill would not receive the death
penalty, but said they were hoping he would receive life in prison. Summer's
parents say they are relieved the trials are over so that they can focus on
raising Summer's three children.
"We will just continue as we have, and raise the kids as best as we can, and
show them the love they deserve," said Debbie Cook, Summer's mother.
