52 Years In Jail For Confessed Hit Man
A Detroit hit man who pleaded guilty to killing eight people has been sentenced to 52 years in prison after a sharp rebuke from a judge who felt there wasn't enough remorse.
The 52-year minimum sentence was part of a deal struck in June when Vincent Smothers pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
He avoided a mandatory life sentence, but he won't be eligible for parole until he's about 80.
Wayne County Judge Craig Strong read from a pre-sentence report Friday in which Smothers said he had killed more than eight people, but couldn't recall their names.
Smothers told police he was paid $60,000 for a series of killings. His last victim was Rose Cobb, the wife of a Detroit police officer, in 2007.
People who were related to two victims spoke before Smothers got his punishment.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
