A Rogersville woman who filmed herself shooting her longtime boyfriend in the back of the head — after he said he was going to leave her — was sentenced to 20 years in prison on April 28.
Judge Thomas Mountjoy sentenced Melanie Spencer, 49, to 20 years for second-degree murder and 10 years for armed criminal action. The sentences are to run at the same time.
Spencer killed Samuel Biggs, 41, during an argument in September of 2018.
Spencer's attorney said immediately after shooting Biggs she called 911 and confessed to what happened, adding that up until that day she had no criminal history.
Spencer also made a statement in court expressing her remorse and regret for what happened.
According to a story in the Springfield News-Leader, Spencer said:
“I will carry the weight of this for the rest of my life. I understand if you cannot forgive me.”
Spencer had pleaded guilty in October. Mountjoy heard sentencing arguments in February but decided to take a few months to deliberate.
The state played snippets of the recorded argument between Biggs and Spencer, which was filmed on a laptop Spencer set up, according to the News-Leader.
The video showed Spencer refusing to give Biggs his keys, telling him he couldn't leave her. Biggs stood up and walked off screen with Spencer following him.
According to the News-Leader, Biggs could be heard saying “stop” and Spencer responded, “No, I'm ready to shoot you.” An off-screen gunshot could be heard, followed by screaming and Spencer rushing out of the residence.
Prosecutors had asked for a life sentence with the possibility of parole.
