WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin said a plea agreement and sentence have been worked out regarding the suspect allegedly involved in the October 2021 death of a Colon woman.
Michael Lafler, age 37, of Colon, will be sentenced in June to a maximum of 15 years in the strangulation death of 33-year-old Chelsea Wallen.
Marvin said he and defense attorney Anastase Markou worked out the agreements May 22.
Lafler entered a no-contest plea to involuntary manslaughter – homicide and assault to do great bodily harm less than murder by strangulation.
Marvin dismissed the life offense of open murder.
With the possibility of an acquittal at trial, Marvin felt the plea guaranteed Lafler would serve prison time in the death.
What the heck? How do you strangle someone without expecting them to die? Oops his hands spasmed and couldn’t let go? And it was her fault because gee he couldn’t walk or drive away?
Once again a woman’s life and death is debased and devalued. He will not serve the full 15 years. His fines are capped at $7500.