Sean Goe, the man found guilty of killing his girlfriend, Raychel Sheridan, was sentenced to 29 years to life in prison.
You can watch his sentencing below:
He was sentenced based on the following charges.
- Murder and felonious assault: 15 years-to-life
- 10 years for repeated violations
- Tampering with evidence: 36 months
- Abuse with corpse: 12 months
- Total: 29 years-to-life for all charges
He will be eligible for parole after serving 29 years behind bars.
It was an emotional courtroom as Sheridan’s family awaited Sean Goe's sentencing. Ahead of the sentencing, the judge heard remarks from Sean’s mother, Renee Graham, who began by apologizing to the Sheridan family for the loss of their daughter. She then spoke about Goe’s troubled childhood prior to his adoption, stating that he had experienced instability, neglect, and abuse.
“I asked the court for mercy, and my son is someone who is shaped by a history of trauma, but he also has the potential to change. He deserves the chance to rebuild his life,” said Graham.
In T-shirts emblazoned with sunflowers and images of Sheridan’s aunt, brother, and mother pleaded with the judge to impose the harshest sentence, reiterating that Sheridan did not deserve what happened to her.
“The pain Sean has caused us—or me, not to mention her mom, Dwain, Jonathan, and many, many more—is unforgivable,” said Sheridan’s aunt, Susan Morris.
“At least his family will have the option to remain happy in life because he’s still alive and well, not dumped in a garbage can,” said Jonathan Gillian, Sheridan’s brother.
Throughout the proceedings, Goe seemed unphased until Sheridan's mother took the stand and spoke directly to him.
“You have murdered our baby girl. My question is, why? Why would you do this to someone who loved you? Who wanted to help your own personal battles? She stood by you regardless of what you did to her. When you had no one else, she truly loved you, and just thinking that, this makes me sick to my stomach,” Lisa said.
Sean’s eyes watered as he stared at Lisa as she spoke.
“What you have done to us is truly evil. I hope you spend the rest of your miserable life in prison,” Lisa continued. “I am so angry that I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive you, and I hope Jesus will.”
Before leaving the podium, Lisa held up two photos of Sheridan for Goe to see.
Then, Judge Frank Forchione began his remarks, showing no mercy. He described the crime as the most brutal murder he had ever encountered, adding that no childhood trauma could justify the heinous acts Goe committed.
“The senselessness of this murder tells me not only are you morally bankrupt, but you have no fiber of decency,” said Forchione.
Forchione recounted what Goe did to Sheridan in July, including beating her so severely that she was unrecognizable, shoving her body into a garbage can, and attempting to cover up the crime. He also noted that at the time, Goe had five outstanding warrants for his arrest related to other crimes.
“I will do everything I can to lock you up for a long, long time… it’s obvious to me that I cannot rehabilitate someone like you, with such a disregard for human life,” said Forchione.
Goe was sentenced to 29 years to life on all charges, including murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and gross abuse of a corpse.
“Mister Goe, you sold your soul to the devil. I have ordered you to receive the maximum sentence on every count because you deserve the maximum sentence,” said Judge Forchione.
Following the verdict, Sheridan’s family celebrated, but after everything, Lisa took a moment to look up as if attempting to speak to her daughter.
“We love you, baby girl. I’ve got you. I told you we were going to get this, and we got it,” said Lisa.
What happened?
In early July, Sheridan didn't show up for work. Her worried mother contacted the Stark County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators determined there were signs of a crime scene inside her Plain Township apartment.
"Evidence of foul play was discovered. Detectives determined that Sheridan was murdered inside the apartment," Sheriff George Maier said during a July news conference.
However, she wasn't there. Sanitation workers later found her body in a garbage can in Mother Goose Land Park in Canton.
RELATED: Missing woman's body found by Canton sanitation workers
The trial
The jury deliberated for less than an hour in this case.
RELATED: Jury finds Sean Goe guilty of murder of Raychel Sheridan
He was found guilty of murder, felonious assault, gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence in the death of Sheridan.
