BEND, Ore. (AP) — A central Oregon man convicted of murdering his wife near their home in La Pine in 2002 has been sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole.
KTVZ-TV in Bend reports that Darrell Middlekauff claimed he was innocent but failed to protect his wife when he addressed the judge before sentencing Wednesday in Deschutes County Circuit Court.
The body of Brenda Middlekauff was found in a partially buried barrel, bound and gagged. She had been shot in the head three times.
The victim’s sister and several other relatives who have been in court through the trial said they finally have some peace after the sentencing.
