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Ashland teen gets life in prison in great-uncle’s killing

By: Associated Press//June 26, 2015//

Ashland teen gets life in prison in great-uncle’s killing

By: Associated Press//June 26, 2015//

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ASHLAND, Wis. (AP) — An Ashland teenager has been sentenced to life in prison in connection with the death of his great-uncle in 2013.

Fifteen-year-old Joseph Ackley was sentenced Thursday by Ashland County Circuit Court Judge Robert Eaton, who said he was unconvinced the teen was remorseful.

According to a criminal complaint, Ackley admitted to shooting and stabbing 52-year-old William Saari in December 2013 — the day before Ackley’s 14th birthday. According to the complaint, Ackley also attempted to kill Saari’s wife and shot at a police officer.

Ackley was charged as an adult and pleaded no contest to first-degree intentional homicide.

He can apply for parole in 40 years.

The Saaris were Ackley’s legal guardians and spent more than a decade raising him.

Ackley’s attorney had no comment on the sentence.

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