MUSKEGON, Mich. - Jeffrey Willis has now been sentenced for the kidnapping and murder of Jessica Heeringa.
Judge William Marietti sentenced Willis to life without parole for murder and 18 to 40 years for kidnapping. These sentences will be served concurrent to those he's already serving.
Before the judge announced the sentence, Willis addressed the court. This was the first time we heard him speak since he testified in Rebekah Bletsch's murder trial.
Willis spent nearly 15 minutes bashing local law enforcement, as well as the justice system. "I am innocent," he said.
Willis accused detectives from Norton Shores and Muskegon County with tampering with evidence, specifically ballistics evidence.
"Just plain falsifying evidence," he said. Willis went on to blame his attorney, jurors he said were sleeping, and the teen girl who jumped from his van.
Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson said it can be rewarding to hear criminals take responsibility for their actions and apologize for their crimes.
"We did not get any of that today from Mr. Willis," said Hilson.
Hilson refuted claims he or detectives tampered with evidence or asked witness to lie. And he believes the arrest of Willis spared the lives of other women in Muskegon County.
"He would have continued to haunt and stalk women who were in isolated areas, his killing would have continued," said Hilson.
Part of Willis' message to the court included comments about the kiss he blew at his last sentencing hearing. He clarified that the kiss was not for Bletsch's family, but for Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson. Willis said it was a message for Hilson, "that message being that I figured out the truth and that he could kiss his future goodbye.
"Because of my failure to properly convey this sentiment, I've allowed animosity to flourish and that needs to be remedied."
"To the Bletsch family, I am truly sorry, for this oversight," he said as he turned and faced the crowd.
"It doesn't bring my daughter back," said Debra Reamer, mother of Rebekah Bletsch.
Reamer said Willis' show of emotion wasn't believable and neither was his story about police corruption.
"Take ownership of what you did, don't lie to us," she said.
In summary, Willis claimed he did not get a fair trial and was trying to prove himself innocent, instead of the other way around as the law states.
"Not only did the public defender fail in this regard, but more poignantly, the jury, press and state's prosecuting attorney DJ Hilson did as well," he said.
When Willis was done speaking, Hilson kept his reply short, thanking all those involved. He also said Willis was one of the most dangerous men he has ever met.
"He shows no remorse, no lack, no ounce of dignity or integrity and it's clear the justice system has the right place for him and that's behind bars for the rest of his natural life," he said.
Hilson also said he would sleep very well tonight knowing that Willis will "never see the light of day again." The courtroom erupted with applause.
Willis is already serving a life term for the murder of Bletsch. He is also awaiting trial for the attempted kidnapping of a 16-year-old girl, and for secretly recording teen girls as they undressed.
Prosecutor Hilson says he first needs to talk with the victims in that case to see if they want the trials to be held.
You can watch the sentencing in full at this link.
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Kayla Fortney is the senior multi-platform producer at 13 ON YOUR SIDE. Have a news tip? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.