Teen to be Sentenced for Killing Police Officer

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Teen to be Sentenced for Killing Police Officer

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Sep 26, 2007 at 10:15 AM EST

Story Updated: Sep 26, 2007 at 3:27 PM EST

(WSBT) The teenager who shot and killed a South Bend police officer will learn his fate Wednesday.

Jeff Finley, 19, pleaded guilty to killing Corporal Scott Severns in April of last year, during an attempted armed robbery.

Finley has said he has no explanation for why he shot Severns.

Wednesday we're expected to learn if Finley will spend the rest of his life in prison for shooting Severns, not once but four times, which ultimately led to his death.

This is the second of a two-part sentencing hearing.

Earlier this month, Severn's girlfriend, who was with him the night of the shootings, told the judge they were standing in a parking lot when someone walked up to them, tried to rob them, then began shooting.

Finley told the judge then that he had bought the gun for protection and didn't think about robbing Severns until he saw him that night.

Finley's mother also took the stand asking the judge not to give her son life without parole.

This is what Severns' mother had to say after hearing that less than two weeks ago:

"I never get to see my son ever again! She gets to talk to him every day. His sister doesn't get to see him? Well you know what, my daughter never gets to see her brother ever again,” Kathy Karczewski told WSBT News. “And they want leniency? I'm sorry. No! No.”

The Indiana Supreme Court has ruled that emotional testimony may interfere with a judge's sentencing decision in cases that involve life without parole.

So, Severns’ family members will not testify until after Finley has been sentenced Wednesday.

Stay tuned to WSBT News and WSBT.com for the latest.

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