Theodore Wafer was sentenced to 17 years in prison for fatally shooting a young woman, Renisha McBride, on November 2, 2013.
Wafer, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, shot the 17-year-old unarmed African American woman in the face after he found her on his porch one morning. McBride was seeking help after being involved in an auto collision near Wafer’s home. Since then, he has been at the center of discussions on gun control and the unnecessary killings of young African Americans.
Last month, Wafer was convicted after a nine-month trial. The purpose of the trial was to determine if Wafer shot McBride in self-defense, since he claimed he was awaken by a loud pounding on his door. The jury rejected his claims of self-defense and found him guilty.
The prosecutors have recommended a minimum of 17 years behind bars. However, defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter has requested fewer years, calling a 17-year sentence a death sentence for the 55-year-old man. But the judge rejected her request. Wafer’s maximum sentence is 32 years. After serving 17 years, he may be eligible for parole.