The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld the sentence of the Plymouth man accused of beating his girlfriend’s toddler to death with a hairbrush after she wet the bed in their motel room. Shane Weedling received the maximum 65-year sentence for murder in connection with Serenity Wilson’s 25-year death after pleading guilty. His sentence was left to the discretion of Marshall Superior Court Judge Robert O. Bowen.
During the court proceeding, Bowen cited Weedling’s extensive criminal record and told him the only factor in his favor was his prior guilty plea to the murder charge.
The ruling handed down this week from the Indiana Court of Appeals states “the nature of Weedling’s offense is abhorrent.” It goes on to state, “we find nothing redeeming about Weedling’s character.” The court notes he was 23 at the time of the murder and had already been convicted of three felonies and several misdemeanors.
Additionally Weedling’s struggle with substance abuse could be considered an aggravating circumstance, according to the court.
They also cite a letter from his parents indicating Weedling is participating in religious programming while incarcerated but note that he continued to downplay the seriousness of his crime and blame others even after pleading guilty.
Click Shane Weedling v State of Indiana to read the entire Indiana Court of Appeals ruling.
