SPOKANE, Wash. — A killer who stabbed two young people to death in 2008, posed their bodies with swords and torched the house is waiting to see if his life sentence could be reduced by a Spokane judge this week.
Justin Crenshaw, now 37, appeared in Spokane County court Monday as families of his victims pleaded with the judge to maintain his original life sentence.
Crenshaw was 20 when he killed 18-year-old Sarah Clark and 20-year-old Tanner Pehl in North Spokane nearly two decades ago.
Tuesday’s hearing is what victim families hoped would never become reality – reliving the traumatic experience and facing the possibility that Crenshaw could walk free someday.
“Reducing this sentence, judge, would diminish the weight of lives lost,” said Laurie, Tanner Pehl’s mother, during her victim impact statement.
A 2021 change to Washington law now prevents courts from giving fixed life sentences to offenders between 18 and 21 years old. This law change enabled Crenshaw to appeal his life sentence, forcing families back into the courtroom they never wanted to see again.
“We choose to forget the murderer and are outraged that we have had to go through this sentencing. We once again have had to remember what he did to Sarah and relive those early days,” said Sarah Clark’s mother, Teesha Clark.
From 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Monday, families and friends of the victims urged the judge to uphold the original sentence. They came face to face with the man convicted of killing their children and siblings.
“I strongly urge you, to uphold the original sentence in full,” Laurie told the court.
Katie Hayes, Tanner Pehl’s sister, described the lasting impact of the crimes on the family.
“The part of it I want [him] to know is what it’s been like the last 17 years. It’s hell. And just always trying to rise above it. Like that trauma is real. That crime scene was real,” Hayes said.
Crenshaw’s violent behavior did not end with the 2008 murders. While serving his sentence, he killed again, stabbing his cellmate to death in Virginia. His prison record shows 18 serious infractions, prompting the state to transfer him between facilities in Virginia and New Mexico because officials determined they could not house him safely in Washington.
The judge ordered Crenshaw to remain shackled during Tuesday’s hearing. The court removed any metal objects or pens he could potentially use as weapons, according to the court clerk.
“Throughout this time he has never shown any remorse or taken responsibility for his actions. He blames everything and everyone else,” she said.
David Pehl, Tanner Pehl’s father, also addressed the court, acknowledging the difficulty of the judge’s decision while emphasizing public safety concerns.
“Judge, you have a hard job ahead of you. But my heartfelt plea to you is, as sad as it is, that Justin Crenshaw does not deserve to be on the street and have the risk of doing this or something similar to it,” he said.
The defense has not yet presented arguments for why Crenshaw should receive a reduced sentence. That portion of the hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, when Crenshaw is also expected to address the court and possibly express remorse for his actions.
The judge holds the final decision on whether a reduced sentence is appropriate under the new law.
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