BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A life sentence in prison has been handed to a man guilty in the beating and death of a 77-year-old man in his Bloomfield Township home.
A jury last month convicted Bart Spencer, 45, of open murder, arson, larceny of firearms, larceny in a building and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with William Whitelaw's death. On Monday, a judge sentenced Spencer to life in prison without parole.
Court video: Bart Spencer speaks before sentencing
"That whole day I wish I could take back. I feel horrible about everything," Spencer said before being handed his sentence. "I'm sorry for everybody that was involved in this case."
Court video: William Whitelaw's family speaks before Spencer's sentencing
Whitelaw's body was found Sept. 4 at the Knollwood Pointe Condos. Police said there were no signs of forced entry to Whitelaw's home, but the gas had been turned on and candles were lit.
The Oakland County Medical Examiner determined Whitelaw's cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.
-- William Whitelaw