SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) — A Sparta man convicted of killing his grandfather with an axe in 2021 will spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance for release.
In addition to the homicide of Bernard Waite, Thomas Aspseter was also convicted of injuring two other family members and using
Aspseter’s family testified at the sentencing Wednesday and they don’t believe he deserves to ever be free again.
“It is one of the most vicious or aggravated crimes that I’ve seen in 15+ years,” Judge Ziegler said.
In September, a jury convicted Aspseter of using an axe to kill his grandfather and injure two others.
“The horrendous nature of these crimes is something no one could have anticipated,” said Steve Laxton, a family member.
Prosecutors also said Aspseter attempted to attack witnesses.
One who testified Wednesday said she will never fully recover.
“What he’s put us through—I live this every day and every night,” she said.
Aspseter’s victims and their loved ones attended most of the trial.
“My uncle did everything for him. Tom doesn’t deserve to live. I wish we had the death penalty,” testified Patricia Hayes, another family member.
Wednesday, the family came back to court for justice.
“Violent crime like this, a hideous crime, is something that you read about and see on television. You think it is something that happens to somebody else. But when it happens to your family—it has a devastating impact,” Laxton said.
The judge sentenced Aspseter to life in prison with no chance for release, with an additional 120 years in prison.
“It’s hard to find any redeeming qualities to somebody that would make those comments about such a horrific act that they he committed,” Ziegler said.
The family said the sentence will give them some closure.
“He has shown no remorse over anything. You know, he’s guilty and he knows it and he’s going away. Good,” Hayes said.
But the closure cannot relieve their pain.
“It is something that will never go away for any of us,” said Bud Waite, another family member.
Aspseter did not make a statement at his sentencing Wednesday.
Those who did speak emphasized his lack of remorse at the trial in September.
Aspseter can appeal his sentence within 20 days of the trial.
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