A man has entered a plea deal for starting the fire that killed his daughter and severely injured his estranged wife.
Brian Shelleby admitted to setting a fire in the Corbett Drive home in Castle Shannon last September after becoming upset with his estranged wife.
His estranged wife suffered serious burns, but was able to escape the home. Lakyn Shelleby, 19, who was home from college, became trapped and could not make it out.
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Brian was about to face trial for first-degree murder. But, instead, on Monday he pleaded guilty to third-degree murder. He’ll spend 15 to 30 years in prison, as defined in the plea deal.
After the hearing, Channel 11 Chief Investigator Rick Earle spoke with his attorneys, Wendy Williams and Phil DiLucente.
“I think the district attorney’s office was very reasonable,” Wendy Williams said. “I think that nobody wanted to put anyone through further heart attack. The injuries in this case were severe for my client’s wife, and both sides of the family are still talking, and it’s just a real tragedy for everybody.”
The attorneys say Brian has taken full responsibility for his actions.
“We will never be able to bring back Lakyn, but he has accepted responsibility, and as Wendy and I can tell you, he’s extremely remorseful,” DiLucente said. “And as Wendy and I can tell you, there hasn’t been a time when we’ve met with him, where there’s not a tear coming from his eye.”
Brian will officially be sentenced on Sept. 10.
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