Second man sentenced to life without parole in 2006 murder
Jonathan Aiden
Courtesy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
The family members of William "Sam" Kenney said they are happy to have some kind of resolution six years after his murder.
The second man convicted in the 2006 homicide, Jonathon Aiden, was sentenced Tuesday in the Washtenaw County Trial Court to life without parole for felony and premeditated murder.
"We're relieved it's over," said Kenney's brother, Peter, who was in the courtroom with several other family members -- including Kenny's mother -- to watch the sentencing."It was a long wait. We're satisfied with the results."
When given a chance to speak, Aiden, who has grown a beard since his last court appearance, maintained his innocence in the beating death of 55-year-old Kenney.
"I believe there's been a great injustice done here," he said before addressing Judge Archie Brown personally. "It lies on your conscience, as well."
"Well, Mr. Aiden, I'll sleep well tonight," Brown replied before sentencing Aiden to life without parole on the murder charge.
Aiden received concurrent sentences between 62 and 600 months for charges of breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, safe breaking, conspiracy to commit breaking and entering and conspiracy to commit safe-breaking.
Aiden was convicted by a jury last month.
His uncle, Shane Roscoe, was convicted last year of the murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
Prosecutors said Aiden and Roscoe beat Kenney to death during a break-in Aug. 18, 2006 at the Jim Bradley Pontiac GMC in Scio Township. Aiden and Roscoe were stealing auto-related equipment and materials and came into contact with Kenney, who worked at the dealership. Both Roscoe and Aiden were former employees of the dealership.
Prosecutors said Roscoe and Aiden hit Kenney on the head with a sledgehammer and then ran him over with a vehicle. Kenney was taken to U-M Hospital, where police questioned him on at least two occasions before he died from the injuries on Sept. 14, 2006.
"The sentence can't bring (Kenney) back, but it can protect other people," said Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor Dianna Collins.
It still remains to be seen whether Aiden will have to go back to a Florida prison to serve out the remaining nine months of a sentence from a home invasion charge. Aiden said he would rather stay in Michigan and start serving his life sentence in order to start the appeals process.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Sue
Thu, Mar 7, 2013 : 5:48 p.m.
"Aiden and Roscoe were stealing auto-related equipment and materials and came into contact with Kenney, who worked at the dealership." I'm not sure how they determined that the murder was premeditated when they went there to steal auto parts, and murdered Kenny when they came into contact with him. It doesn't sound like they sought him out or that killing him was part of their original plan.
Sue
Fri, Mar 8, 2013 : 3:06 a.m.
getetracy, First degree murder is legally different than 2nd degree or manslaughter and the sentences are different as well. I didn't say I "know so much", I said I wasn't sure how they determined that the murder was premeditated (1st degree), rather than second or manslaughter. That would be an important thing to know before sentencing someone to life without parole. Also, it will be easier for the convict to win an appeal with that severe of a sentence instead of a 20 year sentence.
genetracy
Thu, Mar 7, 2013 : 7:16 p.m.
Felony murder. When someone dies during the commision of a felony. Besides, seeing you know so much, why don you handle the appeal?
KIKIPIE
Thu, Mar 7, 2013 : 1:22 p.m.
I followed this case quite closely. This guy got Scroogled. I wish him well on his appeal.
genetracy
Thu, Mar 7, 2013 : 3:40 a.m.
Like the death penalty, "life without parole" will soon be ruled cruel and unusual punishment by some liberal judge. The guy could very well walk free some day.
windjmar
Thu, Mar 7, 2013 : 6:20 a.m.
Why can't we shoot this animal, just like they did the lion that killed today?
genetracy
Thu, Mar 7, 2013 : 5:43 a.m.
Life without parole has effectively ended in Michigan for juveniles convicted of first degree murder. Somehow, the little darlings are believed to be redemptive. With that, the precedent is set. Now every adult receiving life without parole will claim to be redemptive too. Life terms are a joke anyway. Charles Manson received how many life sentences? So why does he have parole hearings every two years?
ordmad
Thu, Mar 7, 2013 : 4:55 a.m.
You might want to study the law a bit before espousing such utter foolishness.
Homeland Conspiracy
Wed, Mar 6, 2013 : 11:39 p.m.
Great now we the people will have to pay millions of dollars to house & feed this "man" for the rest of his life.
tdw
Thu, Mar 7, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
Homeland.....I got your drift there. ordmad....could you please state where you get your expertise in law ?
James Socrates
Wed, Mar 6, 2013 : 11:22 p.m.
A great injustice? Yes, a great injustice has been done here - a man's life was valued decidedly less then a few replaceable car parts and rusty tools. Justice? No. Say rather that this sentence is the closet thing to justice that can be experienced in this world. True justice is and will always remain the providence of God.