That anything short of the maximum sentence with the mean,
the seriousness of the offenders conduct and its impact upon
the victim 13 years after she went missing.
Caitlin Markham's fiance has now learned his punishment for his
role in her death and disappearance.
And thanks for joining us today at 4:00.
I'm Cherie Palolo and I'm Ashley Kirkland.
John Carter was sentenced today after he took a plea
deal last month pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
In WLWT News 5, Todd Dykes live in Hamilton this
evening.
And Todd, what can you tell us?
Hey Ashley and Cherie.
John Carter will spend the next three years in prison.
The 36 year old learning his fate about an hour
ago here in Hamilton.
Butler County Prosecutor Mike Mosher began today sentencing hearing by
saying justice delayed is justice denied.
Mosher and Caitlin Markham's loved ones emphasize that John Carter
knew what happened back in 2011 but pretended as if
he did not.
Carter was the one who called police to say that
Caitlin is 21 year old fiance say was missing.
Then two years later in 2013, when Markham's remains were
found by the side of a rural Rd.
in Indiana, Carter continued to act as if Caitlin's disappearance
was a mystery.
Eventually, Carter was charged with murder.
Last month, he did reach a plea deal.
He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
I want you to take a listen out of Caitlin's
dad, Dave Markham, reacting to today's sentence.
How are you feeling right now?
Relieved, Grateful.
Thanks for the judge for giving him the maximum that
he deserves.
And this is it's not over.
And no, it's not closure, but it's a start of
something, something else to come.
Yeah, a lot of emotion packed in that statement from
Dave Markham.
You're going to hear more from him throughout the evening
and then later this evening on News 5 tonight at
11.
That's still not clear exactly how Caitlin Markham died.
That remains one of the big mysteries in all this.
But again, John Carter admitted that he played a role
in her death by pleading guilty a few weeks ago.
As for him, deputies whisked him away right after the
sentencing sentence was handed down.
And his mom declined to say anything to our cameras
as she and other family members of John Carter left
the courtroom this afternoon reporting live here in Hamilton.
Todd Dykes, WWT News 5 Todd, this has been a
long process that we've seen play out.
Do we know where John Carter will serve his sentence?
That is a question we'll be asking in the coming
days.
I can tell you.
Deputies took him to the Butler County Jail after the
sentencing hearing wrapped up just again within the past half
hour, 45 minutes.
He will end up at a in a prison somewhere
in Ohio based on the Department of Corrections policies and
so forth.
And I should add that our colleague Karen Johnson, who's
really spent an enormous amount of time covering Caitlin Markham's
disappearance and today's hearing, she's here as well.
She'll have more throughout the evening here on NEWS FIVE,
in addition to reports coming from my end.
For now, Ashley and Cherie, we'll send it back to
you.
Todd Dykes reporting live.
Thanks so much, Todd.
Well, it is the grand.