September 2nd, 2017 by WCBC Radio
The Herald Mail reports a former Hagerstown man who was found guilty in May of murdering 81-year-old Margaret Rose McAllister inside her Hancock home last year was sentenced to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole Friday in Washington County Circuit Court.
Jerry Wayne Smith Jr., 44, showed no emotion as Circuit Judge Viki M. Pauler ordered him to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
"The victim was 81 years old, a vulnerable adult," Pauler told Smith. "And although I've heard how able-bodied she was, how full of life she was — she was no match for you. She opened her door to you. For that, she was nearly decapitated."
A jury of six men and six women deliberated for a little more than 90 minutes on May 4 before returning with guilty verdicts on one count each of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and carrying a dangerous weapon with intent to injure.
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