Convicted serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
According to the Associated Press, a New Jersey judged sentenced the 25-year-old to 160 years in prison Wednesday for a killing spree that left three women dead. The sentencing was announced nearly four years after Wheeler-Weaver was indicted on three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, as well as kidnapping, aggravated arson. and desecration of human remains charges.
Prosecutors say the man had used a fake dating profile to lure and kill his victims: 20-year-old Sarah Butler, 19-year-old Robin West, and 33-year-old Joanne Brown. Wheeler-Weaver allegedly carried out the murders between August and November of 2016. He was arrested in December of that year, after one of the victim’s friends set up a fake social media account to lure the suspect to police.
Tiffany Taylor, a fourth victim who survived an attack, spoke during Wheeler-Weaver’s sentencing hearing, and explained how the incident has affected her throughout the years.
“My whole life is different; I don’t wear makeup anymore; I don’t have friends. I’m always paranoid,” she told the court. “But I’m happy to still be here. I hope you don’t show him any remorse, because he’s not showing any remorse.”
Wheeler-Weaver pleaded not guilty to the charges and insisted he was framed.
“I do feel sympathy for the victims,” he told Superior Court Judge Mark S. Ali, as reported by NorthJersey.com. “My heart goes out to their family and friends. However, I was not the person who committed these crimes.”
The judge dismissed the man’s claims by pointing to all the evidence in the case, including testimonies from more than 40 witnesses and DNA samples from Butler’s fingernails.
“The four were bright lights. Three had their lights extinguished forever. The fourth, while she survived, has forever had her life changed,” acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said after the sentencing. “Today, they and their families received a measure of justice.”
