Teenager given two life sentences for murdering boyfriend and friend in 100mph car incident
Mackenzie Shirilla, 19, will serve a minimum of 15 years behind bars for her crimes.
A teenager has been given two life sentences for crashing a car into a brick wall at 100mph.
Mackenzie Shirilla was only 17 years old when she crashed into the building at around 5:30 a.m. on July 31 last year in Strongsville, Ohio.
The incident killed her boyfriend, Dominic Russio, as well as friend Davion Flanagan.
They were both pronounced dead at the scene, however Shirilla survived the crash.
Advert
Shirilla was found guilty of four counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, one count of drug possession and one count of possessing criminal tools.
Just after the verdict was read out, Judge Nancy Margaret Russo told the teenager: "This was not reckless driving. This was murder.
"She had a mission, and she executed it with precision."
Now, she's been sentenced to two life sentences.
Judge Russo revealed the now 19-year-old will serve at least 15 years behind bars, however that could be extended by the parole board.
One of the families of the victims wanted the sentences to be consecutive, according to Too Fab, meaning it would end up being at least 30 years in jail.
However, Judge Russo told the court room: "I understand that the pain in this room wants me to impose the harshest sentence.
"But I don't believe that would be an appropriate sentence, because I do believe that Mackenzie will not be out in 15 years."
Instead, the sentences will be served concurrently.
Shirilla had THC in her system over the state's legal limit but she was not pursued on driving under the influence charges.
Her attorney, Jim McDonnell, had pushed for his client to only be found guilty of vehicular homicide but not for murder.
Dominic’s father Frank Russo, 61, didn't want to see his son’s killer behind bars.
“It’s horrible for everybody. Yeah, I lost my son, it’s harder on our family, but I don’t want the rest of her life ruined too. It isn’t going to make me feel any better,” Russo told NBC News.
“The whole thing’s just a shame."
Stewart Perrie