Two North Huron residents convicted in a murder-for-hire plot have been sentenced in Goderich Court.
Justice John McGarry handed Anthony Terpstra a five and-a-half year sentence for his part in the plot to kill his wife Sheila Terpstra.
McGarry sentenced Anthony’s co-conspirator Serena Benninger to two and-a-half years.
Terpstra’s lawyer David Humphries was surprised at the disparity in the two sentences.
Terpstra has 30 days to appeal the sentence, but Humphries in not sure yet if his client will.
Crown Prosecutor Bob Morris was disappointed Terpstra and Benninger were not held equally responsible.
Morris was seeking equal sentences for the two.
Benninger’s Laywer Phil Cornish was somewhat surprised at the ruling, but felt it was justified.
Benninger is eligible for parole in less than one year, Terpstra could be eligible for parole in less than two years.
Intended victim Sheila Terpstra spoke briefly after the ruling.
She said it’s sad day for those involved but she’s happy its over with.
Both Terpstra and Benninger were transported to the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London for processing.
The pair devised a plot to hire a hitman to kill Terpstra’s wife Sheila in 2008.
