A Fort Wayne man was sentenced to 85 years in prison Friday for a fatal shooting in May.
Steven Atkins, 38, killed 20-year-old Kiera Zepke on May 9. Atkins was found guilty of murder and criminal recklessness in August.
The jury also gave Atkins a sentencing enhancement for using a gun when committing the crime. The enhancement added 20 years to his sentence.
Allen Superior Court Judge Fran Gull also ordered Atkins to pay nearly $500 in restitution to Zepkeapps sister, Lydia Zepke, and about $7,000 to her mother, Lindsey Erickson.
Both women testified at the sentencing Friday.
app(Kiera) was my best friend app the only person who came close to understanding me,app Lydia Zepke said. appThe person who was always supposed to be here no longer is.app
Lydia Zepke said she found out about Kiera Zepkeapps death 12 hours after the shooting, and she was given three days of bereavement from work. At Fridayapps sentencing, she said she has apprun throughapp her paid time off and is worried about losing her job.
appI still cry every day on my commute to work,app she added.
Erickson said she will never be the same after Kiera Zepkeapps death because her children mean everything to her.
Before Gullapps decision, Erickson said she hoped Atkins would receive the full sentence for his actions.
appIappm a compassionate person, but once you commit murder like this, you donappt deserve compassion,app she said as Atkins smiled and looked between her and Gull.
Tia Wong read a letter during Friday's sentencing on behalf of the father of Kiera Zepke's son. In his letter, the father called Zepke the love of his life.
appAll I have are pictures to look back at, memories to remember, and voicemails to listen to,app Wong read from the letter. appI cannot get over the fact that sheapps not here.app
Defense Attorney Jerad Marks said Atkins has a ninth-grade education and had no strong role models to lead him down a good path.
Tasha Lee, Allen County prosecutor, said Atkins has a criminal history that goes back to 2001, when he was a child. Atkins has faced drug charges in both Indiana and Illinois.
Atkins maintained his innocence Friday and said he plans to file for an appeal.
He will do so with a new public defender, he said, after he was dissatisfied with his attorneys, David Felts and Marks.
appIappm sorry for our loss,app Atkins said to the court. appKiera was a good friend of mine, too.app
This story was updated Oct. 10 to remove an incorrect reference to the identity of the father of Kiera Zepke's son.
