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UPDATE: Man who killed 2 teens for trespassing is going to jail

Posted at 1:19 PM, Sep 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-19 23:03:51-04

UPDATE: 
On September 19, Tracy Lawrence of Jackson, was sentenced to 19 - 40 years for the murder of Hunter Lentz and Matthew McMillen.

Lentz and McMillen, who were 18 at the time, were shot by Lawrence on June 8, 2018 for breaking into a truck on his property.

Jackson County Circuit Judge, John McBain sentenced Lawrence. He said that the sentencing was because he used lethal force to protect his property. And that he wasn't defending himself or his wife from a violent crime.

Lawrence did not have a criminal record prior to the shooting.

In the courtroom he apologized to the families of the teens, and told them that he has grandchildren that are the same age.

On July 24, after deliberating most of the day, a jury found Tracy Lawrence guilty as charged.

The Jackson County man was sentenced on two counts of second degree murder and one count of felony firearm in the deaths of the two teenagers.

The teens were allegedly breaking into a vehicle at Lawrence's home in Springport Township.

Lawrence's Attorney says he shot them in self defense.

Second degree murder carries a potential sentence of any term of years up to life.

Prosecutor Jarzynka said, "It was a difficult and challenging case."