GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — An Ottawa County man was sentenced to 45-75 years in prison for killing his wife at their home in July of 2018. After shooting his wife, he then shot himself in the face.
Friday, Judge Jon Hulsing issued the sentence Michael McNeal, 56, for the murder of his third wife. McNeal was also given a two-year sentence for a weapons charge.
A jury found McNeal guilty in October of second-degree murder and felony firearms charges.
During the sentencing, Hulsing brought up reports from 1992 that detail McNeal beating his second wife. The judge read the report from the woman who said McNeal would snap suddenly and his demeanor would change from a "kind person" to that of an "angry person."
Hulsing described three separate incidents from the early 90s where McNeal's second wife described him throwing a pan of sauce at her, kicking her pregnant stomach and beating her "mercilessly."
"I don't think we have one act here," said Hulsing, referencing notes sent on behalf of the defendant which said one act does not define a person. "I think we have a series of acts over a number of years against those closest to you."
The court issued a sentence that was significantly higher than the sentencing guidelines because of the seriousness of the offense and its relation to McNeal's past violent behavior, Hulsing explained.
"In short, the violence and conduct towards the one who should be closest to you remain the same in 1992 and 2018. You have not outgrown your propensity for control and violence. Rather, it has worsened," said Hulsing.
At the sentencing hearing, McNeal apologized for his actions.
"They've affected so many people in our community, my family, my friends, especially my son...for taking his mother from him. Words cannot explain the terrible things that I've done. I take full responsibility for my actions," he told the court.
Hulsing said expressions of remorse from McNeal are viewed skeptically because of the defendant's history of beating his prior wife "to a pulp."
In July of 2018, police said it was a friend, playing online video games with McNeal's son, who called 911 and after gunshots were heard. The 17-year-old son then found McNeal's wife dead, according to the prosecuting attorney Greg Babbitt.
Sherrilee McNeal was shot three times with a 25-06 bolt-action rifle. The fatal shot went through her neck. After the shooting, McNeal told police he believed she was having an affair with another man online.
McNeal said after he learned of the affair, he went to the barn for his rifle. McNeal said no one else was involved in the shooting.
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