Gregory Eldred Sentenced for Killing Ex-Wife During Church Service
Gregory Eldred appeared in court yesterday and pleaded guilty to murdering his ex-wife as she played the organ during a church service. He is charged with first-degree murder and accepted a plea arrangement that will see him in prison for the rest of his life, without the possibility of parole.
The tragic shooting stunned the community and First United Presbyterian Church of Coudersport in Pennsylvania. Eldred reportedly shot his former wife, Darlene Sitler, approximately 20 minutes into service. He then left the church, returned, and shot her again to make certain she was dead.
"I want to finish this," Eldred said, according to court papers. "I got to see her. I got to see if she's dead," he added before firing two more shots at Sitler.
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Congregants took control of the situation and overpowered Eldred until authorities could arrive to arrest him. Thankfully no one else was injured during the attack, but those close to Eldred and Sitler were left stunned by his actions.
Sitler was a music teacher who worked with elementary school students; she was a familiar face throughout the community, making the loss even more painful.
"The kids loved her," Superintendent Scott Graham told the Associated Press. "She just did so many things here for the school and the community."
When in court yesterday, Eldred was asked if he understood the charges against him, and if the facts about the shooting were accurate.
"Did you do that?" Judge Stephen Minor asked.
"Yes," Eldred replied quietly.
"How would you like to plead?" Minor then asked.
"Guilty," Eldred said.
Per the deal of the plea arrangement, Eldred will not face the death penalty but instead serve a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is due to be sentenced on July 16.
Eldred reportedly did not offer any motive for the killing but divorced Sitler several years before.
"There are no words that explain this event," a statement from Superintendent Alanna Huck said at the time.
