Lynlee Renick to serve consecutive sentences totaling 16 years for murder of snake-breeder husband

Lynlee Renick, convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of her snake-breeder husband, must serve her prison sentences consecutively, Boone County Circuit Court Judge Kevin Crane decided Monday.

Renick will serve 16 years. A jury in December recommended 13 years for the murder charge and three years for the armed criminal action charge.

Crane had the option to let the sentences run concurrently.

Out of all the facts presented in the case, if you were to take Lynlee Renick out of the equation, Ben Renick would still be alive, Crane said after finalizing the sentence.

Michael Humphrey, ex-boyfriend of Lynlee Renick, was convicted in October. In a deal with prosecutors, he provided the location of the murder weapon in exchange for the lesser charge of second-degree murder and a sentence of life in prison.

His final sentencing took place Jan. 3.

Lynlee Renick's attorneys did not make a motion for a new trial, waiving her right to an appeal.

Previously: Lynlee Renick convicted of second-degree murder of snake breeding husband

Brother on impact of death

Sam Renick, brother of Ben Renick, said he initially was frustrated with Crane over Lynlee Renick's release on house arrest in the year before the December trial.

Nevertheless, while reading a victim impact statement in the courtroom Monday, he expressed appreciation for Crane's work to hear the case.

While Crane could not exceed the recommended sentence of the jury, Sam Renick still encouraged him to lay out the maximum sentence allowed related to his brother's death.

Lynlee Renick allegedly had tried to lay blame at Sam Renick's feet during the course of the homicide investigation.

"Lynlee covered up her actions for years and she told countless lies to protect herself and to deceive others about her involvement in this case," Sam Renick said.

The sight of Ben Renick's body on the floor at Renick's Reptiles will haunt him for the rest of his days, he added.

More: Prosecution in Lynlee Reick’s murder trial says defendant’s story has no supporting evidence

Her actions are unforgivable with regard to her children, Sam Renick said.

"Lynlee Renick is a murderer and she will always be a murderer," he said.

Sam Renick also related how farmland originally owned by the Renick family was sold on Lynlee Renick's behalf following Ben Renick's death, and that his cremated remains still have not been returned to the Renick family.

"The waves of this tragedy travel far," Sam Renick said, adding that his brother's life was cut short by selfishness and greed.

The total of 16 years is better than the 13 that could have been laid out, he said later outside of the courtroom.

Lawyers make their case for sentencing

Because the jury did not find Ben Renick's murder was premeditated by Lynlee Renick, her sentences should run concurrently, public defender Tim Heseman said before Crane provided his sentencing decision.

Lynlee Renick's behavior throughout her time in jail and on house arrest before the trial also should be brought into consideration, he argued.

'I did not kill my husband': Wife accused of killing Montgomery County snake breeder takes stand in own defense

There are ripple effects to this crime, and they should have been considered before Lynlee Renick made the decision to kill her husband, special prosecutor Kevin Zoellner said in his argument for consecutive sentencing.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Judge opts for consecutive sentences in snake-breeder murder