SPOKANE, Wash. — A shackled Justin Crenshaw walked into court Tuesday for day two of his resentencing hearing with a wink and thumbs up to his loved ones. The hearing ended with Crenshaw again receiving two life sentences. He had an outburst toward the judge during the ruling.
Family members and friends of Crenshaw’s murder victims, Tanner Pehl and Sarah Clark, again packed the courtroom. The process of resentencing is something both families have referred to as ‘traumatizing’ and ‘revictimization.’
Crenshaw brutally murdered Tanner and Sarah in 2008. Prosecutors said Crenshaw stabbed the victims multiple times with kitchen knives, posed their bodies with swords and then set the Pehl home on fire before stealing Sarah’s car and leaving the scene.
A motive for the double murder remained unknown. Crenshaw had only been in the Spokane area a few weeks and didn’t know the victims well. A bloody fingerprint and DNA linked Crenshaw to the crime. He was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to life without parole.
The families never thought they’d have to see Justin Crenshaw again.
Then, a state supreme court ruling came down giving qualifying adult offenders less than 21-years-old at the time of their original sentencing a new day in court for resentencing.
“That we’re even having to go through this is unbelievable. It’s revictimization,” Sarah Clark’s mother Teesha said.
Monday’s proceedings were filled with hours of emotional victim impact statements from Tanner and Sarah’s parents, siblings and friends.
Justin Crenshaw’s behavior since being in prison was also detailed throughout day one, including the revelation he has received 18 serious infractions while being in custody in Washington and more from out of state. One included stabbing a fellow inmate 70 times and stomping on his head. That inmate survived, but in the following years, testimony revealed Crenshaw attacked another cellmate, that time it was deadly.
“If you hadn’t done those things in prison, I would have been here with an open heart,” Tanner’s sister Katie said in her victim impact statement. “I’m scared of him. I’m scared other people won’t be safe if he’s out in the community.”
“To have to face the possibility of the murderers two life sentences being reduced when he truly should have been given the death penalty is traumatizing and inhumane,” Sarah’s sister Emily said in her statement.
Tuesday’s proceedings began with the defense presenting their case. Crenshaw’s girlfriend, Jennifer, was first to address the court.
“I understand the seriousness of what happened and my intention is not to minimize the pain caused, but to speak to the person Justin has become over time,” Jennifer said. “He has expressed consistent remorse. Justin was not the person he was forced to be in order to survive in prison.”
Justin Crenshaw’s mother Shelly also addressed the court.
“Everyone thinks Justin is evil. I’m here to tell you no,” Shelly Crenshaw said. “I’m here to say he’s a beautiful soul. I have so much respect and admiration for him. I think it’s time to let science speak…and what happens to him when he drinks.”
Crenshaw himself was next. He turned to face the families of his victims.
“This is a horrible and tragic story,” Crenshaw said. “First and foremost, I want to express my deepest, severe remorse to the families of Tanner and Sarah. You have no clue… you don’t know the full story.”
He again blamed alcohol and the impact it has on his brain. Crenshaw has said he was blacked out and did not remember the murders.
“The last time I drank alcohol was February 2008,” Crenshaw said.
He said he hopes to help train dogs, something he has done since being in prison, if he is released.
Crenshaw then addressed both families specifically, talking about Sarah’s smile and dimples.
“That face haunts me every day,” Crenshaw told the family of Sarah Clark. “I just ask, please, please find it in your hearts to let go of the hatred and anger for me.”
Dara Schroeter with the Spokane County’s Prosecutor’s Office laid out their case to keep Crenshaw in prison for life, again reminding the court of his violent behavior while in custody.
“There is no evidence of post incarceration rehabilitation,” Schroeter said. “His record of 18 infractions and continued violent conduct shows his youthfulness was not to blame. Mr. Crenshaw is showing the same behavior in his 30’s that he did at 20…lack of empathy.”
The prosecution asked for Crenshaw to once again be sentenced to life without parole, pointing to the incredible brutality of the crime.
“He posed (Tanner and Sarah’s bodies) with swords (and) ransacked the Pehl home,” Schroeter said.
Crenshaw’s defense addressed the judge next. He detailed a troubled childhood and upbringing saying what Crenshaw experienced is something most of us ‘only see in movies.’
“Mr. Crenshaw requests a sentence of 25 years,” the attorney said.
Honorable Judge Dean Chuang said the court is required to resentence Crenshaw and factor in his age, youthfulness at the time of the crime.
“The facts of the murder were brutal…both suffered from repeated stab wounds,” he said before announcing his ruling. “The Medical Examiner testified Mr. Pehl suffered 14 stab wounds. Sarah Clark (was stabbed) 26 times. He took time to pose the victims, go through their belongings.”
Judge Chuang talked about Crenshaw’s troubled childhood, abuse and issues with drugs and alcohol.
“I believe you have PTSD,” Judge Chuang said to Crenshaw.
He went on to say the nature of the crime, extreme violence, and then cover-up showed a lack of youthfulness but rather a level of maturity. He also recapped Crenshaw’s continued attacks and violent behavior while in custody.
Crenshaw had an outburst when Judge Chuang discussed his words to the court saying he didn’t take full responsibility. He used profanity toward the judge as he was again given two life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Crenshaw’s disruptive remarks led to an immediate recess.
