MONROE - Casey Shelton was sentenced to 40 years in prison without a chance of early release Monday by Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer.
Shelton, 33, Brodhead, received the maximum prison sentence, and 10 years probation.
"He won't hurt anyone again, but it doesn't bring my son back," Amy Uptegraw said after the sentencing.
Shelton was convicted Jan. 17 of first-degree reckless homicide in the Feb. 28, 2007, death of his 2-month-old son, Christopher, at their Decatur township residence. Shelton has been in the Green County Jail since May 2007. The jail time will be applied toward Shelton's prison term. He was sent Monday to Dodge Correctional Institution, in Waupun.
"The citizens of the state are entitled to expect you to obey the law," Beer said before sentencing Shelton. "They have a right to know criminal behavior will be punished."
Shelton, who didn't testify at his trial, addressed the court through a statement read by his attorney, Katherine Findley. Shelton said he wished he had taken Christopher to the doctor in the days before he died.
"It was obvious he wasn't feeling well," he said in the statement.
Shelton maintains Christopher could have died from a vaccination he received two weeks before his death, or from choking on his vomit.
But evidence presented during Shelton's weeklong trial showed Christopher died from traumatic brain injuries caused from being violently shaken very recently. Shelton was at home alone with his twin sons, Christopher and Charles, in the hours before calling 9-1-1 to report that Christopher wasn't breathing.
Shelton said Monday the impression that he showed no feelings about his son's death was because he was too busy defending himself. He said his actions didn't show how he felt about Christopher.
"Christopher was my little buddy. He's with me now as he always will be. Christopher and God know how much I love them."
About 40 people were in the Green County Courthouse courtroom for Monday's sentencing. They heard testimony from some urging the maximum sentence for Shelton, and others who appealed for leniency.
Shelton was dressed in an orange Green County Jail jumpsuit, his hands and feet shackled. He showed little emotion throughout the hearing, but wiped tears from his eyes when his mother spoke on his behalf.
Two different images of Shelton were given Monday.
To the family of Shelton's live-in girlfriend, he was someone who needed to be sent to prison for a long time.
"He's a monster who entered our lives and left us with a nightmare that will never end," said Keri Rajiroski, Amy Uptegraw's aunt. "My sister lives with the guilt of not being there when her son needed her the most."
Uptegraw told the court that Shelton was to blame for what happened to Christopher, and said he deprived her and her family the right to see Christopher grow up. During the trial, Uptegraw testified that Shelton was abusive to her and the children.
Shelton's family said he was a good person whose life has changed since he's been in jail.
"He's a loving, caring father, brother, nephew and son," his sister, Barb Vittetoe, said. "None of us can understand what he's gone through."
She told the court she was pleading on behalf of Christopher's twin brother to spare Shelton.
"He's a man of God," she said. "Find it in your heart to be merciful."
Shelton's aunt, Merla Shelton, said she's seen a change in his attitude about life and how he should live since he was taken to jail.
Shelton's mother, Cathy, asked the court to be lenient.
"He's a good person," she said. "I love my son, very much. I need him in my life."
Findley asked the court to impose a 10-year prison sentenced with 20 years probation. She said Shelton would face the consequence of prison if he violated his probation.
Green County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Kohl asked the court to sentence Shelton to the maximum term.
"Doing anything less would weaken the seriousness of the crime," Kohl said.
Kohl said he doubts Shelton has changed since he went to jail.
"He (Shelton) says what people want to hear, but with women he is violent and abusive."
In three months, Shelton is scheduled to stand trial for abusing Christopher's twin brother, Charles. Shelton's charged with two counts of child abuse, one a class G felony and the other a class H felony, in relation to injuries Charles sustained. Shelton faces up to 16 years in prison and up to $25,000, if convicted, of those charges.
A five-day jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 30 through Dec. 4.
Twelve jurors and two alternates will hear the case.
Shelton, 33, Brodhead, received the maximum prison sentence, and 10 years probation.
"He won't hurt anyone again, but it doesn't bring my son back," Amy Uptegraw said after the sentencing.
Shelton was convicted Jan. 17 of first-degree reckless homicide in the Feb. 28, 2007, death of his 2-month-old son, Christopher, at their Decatur township residence. Shelton has been in the Green County Jail since May 2007. The jail time will be applied toward Shelton's prison term. He was sent Monday to Dodge Correctional Institution, in Waupun.
"The citizens of the state are entitled to expect you to obey the law," Beer said before sentencing Shelton. "They have a right to know criminal behavior will be punished."
Shelton, who didn't testify at his trial, addressed the court through a statement read by his attorney, Katherine Findley. Shelton said he wished he had taken Christopher to the doctor in the days before he died.
"It was obvious he wasn't feeling well," he said in the statement.
Shelton maintains Christopher could have died from a vaccination he received two weeks before his death, or from choking on his vomit.
But evidence presented during Shelton's weeklong trial showed Christopher died from traumatic brain injuries caused from being violently shaken very recently. Shelton was at home alone with his twin sons, Christopher and Charles, in the hours before calling 9-1-1 to report that Christopher wasn't breathing.
Shelton said Monday the impression that he showed no feelings about his son's death was because he was too busy defending himself. He said his actions didn't show how he felt about Christopher.
"Christopher was my little buddy. He's with me now as he always will be. Christopher and God know how much I love them."
About 40 people were in the Green County Courthouse courtroom for Monday's sentencing. They heard testimony from some urging the maximum sentence for Shelton, and others who appealed for leniency.
Shelton was dressed in an orange Green County Jail jumpsuit, his hands and feet shackled. He showed little emotion throughout the hearing, but wiped tears from his eyes when his mother spoke on his behalf.
Two different images of Shelton were given Monday.
To the family of Shelton's live-in girlfriend, he was someone who needed to be sent to prison for a long time.
"He's a monster who entered our lives and left us with a nightmare that will never end," said Keri Rajiroski, Amy Uptegraw's aunt. "My sister lives with the guilt of not being there when her son needed her the most."
Uptegraw told the court that Shelton was to blame for what happened to Christopher, and said he deprived her and her family the right to see Christopher grow up. During the trial, Uptegraw testified that Shelton was abusive to her and the children.
Shelton's family said he was a good person whose life has changed since he's been in jail.
"He's a loving, caring father, brother, nephew and son," his sister, Barb Vittetoe, said. "None of us can understand what he's gone through."
She told the court she was pleading on behalf of Christopher's twin brother to spare Shelton.
"He's a man of God," she said. "Find it in your heart to be merciful."
Shelton's aunt, Merla Shelton, said she's seen a change in his attitude about life and how he should live since he was taken to jail.
Shelton's mother, Cathy, asked the court to be lenient.
"He's a good person," she said. "I love my son, very much. I need him in my life."
Findley asked the court to impose a 10-year prison sentenced with 20 years probation. She said Shelton would face the consequence of prison if he violated his probation.
Green County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Kohl asked the court to sentence Shelton to the maximum term.
"Doing anything less would weaken the seriousness of the crime," Kohl said.
Kohl said he doubts Shelton has changed since he went to jail.
"He (Shelton) says what people want to hear, but with women he is violent and abusive."
In three months, Shelton is scheduled to stand trial for abusing Christopher's twin brother, Charles. Shelton's charged with two counts of child abuse, one a class G felony and the other a class H felony, in relation to injuries Charles sustained. Shelton faces up to 16 years in prison and up to $25,000, if convicted, of those charges.
A five-day jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 30 through Dec. 4.
Twelve jurors and two alternates will hear the case.