EARLIER REPORT
Richard Terrel of Troy was sentenced this morning to 15 years in prison for the 2015 beating death of his girlfriend Hope Earnshaw York’s grandfather, William York Sr., 88, of Tipp City.
Terrel will receive credit for 545 days served in jail since his arrest. Earnshaw-York’s sentencing for her role in the death was to follow Terrel’s in Miami County Common Pleas Court.
Terrel, 37, had faced up to 18 years in prison. He pleaded guilty Oct. 14. As part of a plea deal, a murder indictment earlier handed down against him by a county grand jury was dismissed after he pleaded guilty to a charge of felony voluntary manslaughter. He also pleaded guilty to felony tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and felonious assault along with two counts of receiving stolen property.
“I would just like to apologize for any actions I had in this matter,” Terrel said before being sentenced.
Judge Christopher Gee said Terrel showed a lack of remorse, blaming others and drugs for his actions. His conduct showed “brutal depravity,” Gee said.
Tipp City police said York Sr. was reported missing by family members in late May 2015. His granddaughter and Terrel lived with him in the weeks before his disappearance.
William York Sr.’s remains were found June 3, 2015, in a Kentucky creek. Terrel and Earnshaw York were arrested later that night in Butler Township, Montgomery County, in York Sr.’s truck. Investigators said York Sr. died of blunt force trauma to the back of his head.
Earnshaw York pleaded no contest and was found guilty in the spring of abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence in her grandfather’s death. She also pleaded no contest to three counts of felony receiving stolen property. She could receive up to 9½ years in prison.