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Inman Sentenced To Life In Prison Without Parole
By: Atish Baidya, Taylor Mirfendereski
Posted on:
UPDATE 4:16 PM A Southeast Ohio man accused of strangling his daughter-in-law with a zip tie and dumping her body in a septic tank will spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.
After ordering a post-sentence investigation, Hocking County Judge John Wallace granted the jury's recommendation Wednesday that William Inman Sr. spend life in prison for the 2011 murder of his daughter-in-law, Summer Inman.
Inman was sentenced in Ross County Common Pleas Court, where the trial was moved after an impartial jury couldn't be seated in Hocking County.
Inman will also serve 14 years of consecutive sentences for other crimes associated with Summer Inman's death, including 10 years for kidnapping, three years for tampering with evidence and one year for gross abuse of a corpse.
"This has been a long and unpleasant road for the people of Logan and Hocking County, and obviously for [Summer Inman's family]," said Wallace. "I have nothing but sorrow about this whole matter."
Inman declined to give a statement after his sentence was read, but told the jury he was sorry for killing Summer Inman Wednesday morning.
“I regret my actions. I can’t undo what I’ve done,” he said. “I’m sorry for the families that have lost. I’m sorry for my family and my grand family. I’m sorry.”
Following the jury's recommendation, the state read statements written by family members of Summer Inman.
"You killed a sweet loving 25-year-old mother of your grandchildren because she wouldn't stay," her mother and father wrote.
Summer Inman's sister thanked the jury in her statement before addressing William Inman Sr.
"Bill, may you never forget the light you took from this world and may God's will be done," she said.
Summer Inman's brother also addressed Inman Sr. in his statement, calling him a bully and not a man of God.
"You took away a beautiful soul with love and compassion," he wrote.
On Monday, a jury convicted Inman Sr. of aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.
Authorities said Summer Inman was killed because she had filed for divorce and was seeking custody of the three young children she had with William Inman II.
Sandra Inman and Inman II were also convicted in Summer Inman’s death.
UPDATE 4:16 PM A Southeast Ohio man accused of strangling his daughter-in-law with a zip tie and dumping her body in a septic tank will spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.
After ordering a post-sentence investigation, Judge John Wallace granted the jury's recommendation Wednesday that William Inman Sr. spend life in prison for the 2011 murder of his daughter-in-law, Summer Inman.
Inman will also serve 14 years of consecutive sentences for other crimes associated with Inman's death, including ten years for kidnapping, three years for tampering with evidence and one year for gross abuse of a corpse.
"This has been a long and unpleasant road for the people of Logan and Hocking County, and obviously for [Summer Inman's family]," said Wallace. "I have nothing but sorrow about this whole matter."
Inman declined to give a statement after his sentence was read, but told the jury he was sorry for killing Summer Inman in a written statement Wednesday morning.
“I regret my actions. I can’t undo what I’ve done,” he wrote. “I’m sorry for the families that have lost. I’m sorry for my family and my grand family. I’m sorry.”
Following the jury's recommendation, the state read statements from family members of Summer Inman.
"You killed a sweet loving 25-year-old mother of your grandchildren because she wouldn't stay," her mother and father wrote.
Summer Inman's sister thanked the jury in her statement before addressing William Inman senior.
"Bill, may you never forget the light you took from this world and may God's will be done," she said.
On Monday, the jury convicted Inman of all crimes, including aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.
Authorities said Summer Inman was killed because she had filed for divorce and was seeking custody of the three young children she had with William Inman II.
Sandra Inman and Inman II were also convicted in Summer Inman’s death.
UPDATE 3:51 PM A jury has recommended that a Southeast Ohio man accused of strangling his daughter-in-law with a zip tie and dumping her body in a septic tank spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.
After just two hours of deliberations on Wednesday, jurors recommended William Inman's sentence to the judge.
In a written statement to the jury, Inman said he was sorry for killing Summer Inman in March 2011.
“I regret my actions. I can’t undo what I’ve done,” he wrote. “I’m sorry for the families that have lost. I’m sorry for my family and my grand family. I’m sorry.”
During closing statements Inman’s defense attorney became emotional as he urged jurors to spare his client’s life.
“If you vote to kill Bill Inman it won’t lessen this tragedy to any degree,” K. Robert Toy said. “If you vote to kill Bill Inman it won’t bring Summer back.”
Toy argued Inman’s abusive childhood is a mitigating factor that should be taken into consideration as the jury deliberates on Inman’s fate.
On Monday, the jury convicted Inman of all crimes, including aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.
Authorities said Summer Inman was killed because she had filed for divorce and was seeking custody of the three young children she had with William Inman II.
Sandra Inman and Inman II were also convicted in Summer Inman’s death.
UPDATE 3:41 PM After just two hours of deliberations on Wednesday, jurors have made a recommendation in the sentencing phase of William Inman's murder trial.
The jury can recommend the judge sentence Inman to the death penalty, life without parole, or 25 to 30 years in prison.
In a written statement to the jury, Inman said he was sorry for killing Summer Inman in March 2011.
“I regret my actions. I can’t undo what I’ve done,” he wrote. “I’m sorry for the families that have lost. I’m sorry for my family and my grand family. I’m sorry.”
During closing statements Inman’s defense attorney became emotional as he urged jurors to spare his client’s life.
“If you vote to kill Bill Inman it won’t lessen this tragedy to any degree,” K. Robert Toy said. “If you vote to kill Bill Inman it won’t bring Summer back.”
Toy argued Inman’s abusive childhood is a mitigating factor that should be taken into consideration as the jury deliberates on Inman’s fate.
On Monday the jury convicted Inman of murder and other crimes after just three hours of deliberation.
Authorities said Summer Inman was killed because she had filed for divorce and was seeking custody of the three young children she had with William Inman II.
Sandra Inman and Inman II were also convicted in Summer Inman’s death.
UPDATE 1:45 p.m. Jurors deciding the fate of William Inman, Sr. have started their deliberations in the sentencing phase of his trial for the murder of his daughter-in-law.
The jury can recommend the judge sentence Inman to the death penalty, life without parole, or 25 to 30 years in prison.
In a written statement to the jury Inman said he was sorry for killing Summer Inman in March 2011.
“I regret my actions. I can’t undo what I’ve done,” he wrote. “I’m sorry for the families that have lost. I’m sorry for my family and my grand family. I’m sorry.”
During closing statements Inman’s defense attorney became emotional as he urged jurors to spare his client’s life.
“If you vote to kill Bill Inman it won’t lessen this tragedy to any degree,” K. Robert Toy said. “If you vote to kill Bill Inman it won’t bring Summer back.”
Toy argued Inman’s abusive childhood is a mitigating factor that should be taken into consideration as the jury deliberates on Inman’s fate.
On Monday the jury convicted Inman of murder and other crimes after just three hours of deliberation.
Authorities said Summer Inman was killed because she had filed for divorce and was seeking custody of the three young children she had with William Inman II.
Sandra Inman and Inman II were also convicted in Summer Inman’s death.
UPDATE 11:20 a.m. In an emotional closing statement William Inman’s defense attorney urged jurors to spare his client’s life.
“If you vote to kill Bill Inman it won’t lessen this tragedy to any degree,” K. Robert Toy said. “If you vote to kill Bill Inman it won’t bring Summer back.”
In a statement to the jury William Inman apologized to Summer Inman’s family and his family.
“I regret my actions. I can’t undo what I’ve done,” he wrote. “I’m sorry for the families that have lost. I’m sorry for my family and my grand family. I’m sorry.”
Toy argued Inman’s abusive childhood are mitigating factors that should be taken into consideration as the jury deliberates on whether Inman should spend the rest of his life behind bars or should be sentenced to die.
The prosecution argued the planning involved in the murder of Summer Inman outweigh the factors surrounding Inman’s childhood upbringing.
UPDATE 10:10 a.m. A licensed psychologist for the defense that focuses primarily on post-traumatic stress disorder says growing up with an abusive father caused William Inman Sr. to develop an “inordinate need to take care of his family.”
Dr. James Reardon testified that Inman's childhood changed him.
“It influences how you perceive things,” he testified.
Reardon also testified because Sandra Inman had miscarriages, “Willy was a miracle which is why grandchildren were so precious to them.”
The defense is trying to paint a sympathetic picture of Inman during the sentencing phase of the trial that could result in the death penalty.
Reardon also testified Inman believed his granddaughter was being sexually abused.
Earlier this week the jury convicted Inman of murder and other crimes after just three hours of deliberation.
Inman was convicted of killing his daughter-in-law, Summer Inman and dumping her body in a septic tank.
A jury can either recommend up to life in prison or the death penalty for Inman.
Authorities said Summer Inman was killed in March 2011 because she had filed for divorce and was seeking custody of the three young children she had with William Inman II.
Sandra Inman and Inman II were also convicted in Summer Inman’s death.
UPDATE 9:30 a.m. William Inman’s older sister Tammy Tripp has taken the stand to testify on her brother’s behalf in an attempt to convince the jury not to sentence him to death.
Tripp testified that their father would beat both of them as children.
“He pulled a knife, beat with a gun, anything you could find,” she said. “Mainly, his choice was a leather strap.”
Tripp said Inman helped her battle with drug addiction.
She was convicted of a heroin offense.
On Monday the jury convicted Inman of murder and other crimes after just three hours of deliberation.
Inman was convicted of killing his daughter-in-law, Summer Inman and dumping her body in a septic tank.
A jury can either recommend up to life in prison or the death penalty for Inman.
Authorities said Summer Inman was killed in March 2011 because she had filed for divorce and was seeking custody of the three young children she had with William Inman II.
Sandra Inman and Inman II were also convicted in Summer Inman’s death.
Opening statements in the sentencing phase of the murder trial of William Inman are underway at this hour in Chillicothe.
A jury will decide whether or not Inman will be sentenced to death.
On Monday the jury convicted Inman of murder and other crimes after just three hours of deliberation.
Inman was convicted of killing his daughter-in-law, Summer Inman and dumping her body in a septic tank.
A jury can either recommend up to life in prison or the death penalty for Inman.
Authorities said Summer Inman was killed in March 2011 because she had filed for divorce and was seeking custody of the three young children she had with William Inman II.
Sandra Inman and Inman II were also convicted in Summer Inman’s death.
WOUB News will bring you updated information on this developing story as it becomes available.