BESSEMER -- Compared to June's weeklong trial that featured more than 60 witnesses, Friday’s sentencing was short and to the point.
Dennis Hahn, 31, was given the mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole for killing 54-year-old Joel McFarlane.
Michigan law requires all first degree murder convictions carry a life in prison sentence without parole.
McFarlane was found dead from a shotgun wound in the neck after his mobile home burned down on September 12, 2009. The case was initially ruled a suicide until it was reopened several months later, and Hahn was charged with first degree murder.
For the first time, Hahn addressed the court Friday with a somewhat surprising statement.
"I'll accept my punishment," said Hahn quietly.
None of McFarlane's family or friends chose to address the court during the sentencing.
Before issuing his sentence, Judge C. Joseph Schwedler said there are many more victims in this case beyond those directly affected.
"When you committed this crime, you had lots of victims, and all the victims are all around you because they feel a lot less safe today than they did before," said Schwedler.
What was the motive for this crime? Hahn didn't receive the $200 McFarlane owed him from a minor traffic accident the night before the murder.
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Dennis Hahn, 31, who was found guilty of arson, home invasion and the murder of 54-year-old Joel McFarlane, was sentenced Friday in Gogebic County.
Hahn was sentenced to the mandatory life sentence for first degree murder. He spoke briefly to the courtroom at his sentencing.
"I accept my punishment," said Hahn.
TV6's Aaron Martin will have an update on the sentencing when he returns from court.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC