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Scott Twp. Man Gets Life For Wife's Murder

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Dec 2, 2008 7:37 pm US/Eastern

Scott Twp. Man Gets Life For Wife's Murder

Reporting
Ross Guidotti
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― There was an emotional apology today in the case of a woman from Scott Township, whose body was found inside a burning vehicle in Tennessee.

Now, the family of Paula Lanz can finally have some closure.

"Well it was awfully hard but I'm glad it's all over," said Paula Lanz's aunt and godmother, Judy Dames. "Paula can rest in peace."

Dames was in the courtroom today when Allegheny County Criminal Court Judge Jeffrey Manning sentenced Paula's husband, Henry Lanz, in the shooting death of the 39 year old woman inside the couple's Scott Township home in January 2007.

"Paula and him weren't getting along," said Dames. "Paula wanted to leave him. He wanted to control her. He didn't want her to leave and I guess it was better to get rid of her. I don't understand it."

A jury convicted Henry Lanz of first degree murder in September.

His conviction came after Karl Laughlin testified he watched Lanz shoot his wife then Laughlin drove the body in the family's van to Tennessee where he set it on fire with the woman's remains in side.

During sentencing, Lanz blamed Laughlin for the killing.

Laughlin was also sentenced today on arson charges.

He spoke to the court and said he was stupid.

He even turned to the victim's family to apologize.

"I really appreciated Karl saying that what he did was terrible," said Dames. "But at least he was remorseful. But Henry, he looked me in the eye but at least he could have said something. We opened our arms to him when he came from Chicago but he did us wrong."

Henry Lanz will spend the rest of his life behind bars but plans on appealing his conviction based on ineffective counsel.

Laughlin faces a maximum five years in jail for his role in the crime.

"Paula's happy in heaven, I pray this," said Dames. "And Henry, I hope God forgives him."


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