A Machesney Park man called his wifes murder an evil, senseless tragedy today before he was sentenced to 59 years behind bars for killing the woman and dumping her body in the Rock River.
A jury convicted Todd C. Smith in January of the 2012 killing of his wife, Katrina Smith, 30. He maintains his innocence.
Im sorry. Im sorry for failing in my role as husband and protector, Smith, 49, said during his sentencing hearing before quoting from the Bible. Katrinas murder is an evil, senseless tragedy that left a trail of destruction in its path.
Although I am not guilty as the state portrayed, I harbor no ill will, Smith said, facing Winnebago County Judge Fernando Engelsma.
Engelsma agreed that Katrina Smiths killing was evil and senseless, but stopped short of calling the murder a tragedy.
The fact is, Todd Smith, you killed her. You beat her on the head with a blunt instrument and put her in the river, Engelsma said. Your actions after the crime then, I find unfathomable. You threw her in the river. A plastic bag going down the river to Oregon.
