Life sentence for Kopacz

BY STACI WILSON

The man that gunned down a woman outside her home in Susquehanna last year will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Jonathan Kopacz, 35, of Thompson, pleaded guilty Friday afternoon to the first degree murder of Kelly Conklin, 22, of Susquehanna, in the early morning hours of Oct. 17, 2014. He was immediately sentenced to life without the possibility of parole by Judge Kenneth Seamans.

As part of the plea deal, Kopacz will remain in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility for 60 days to allow for Conklin’s family to hold a victim’s impact meeting if they desire. The family has not expressed any interest in meeting with Kopacz, District Attorney Jason Legg told the court.

After the 60 days, Kopacz will serve his sentence in a state correctional facility.

Kopacz planned Conklin’s murder, purchasing two separate 9 mm handguns and ammunition, Legg told the court.

Prior to the shooting, Kopacz also wrote a letter with his reasons for killing the woman and sent it to various people, including members of Conklin’s family, the district attorney said.

He then followed Conklin to her Washington Street home and shot her several times as she opened the door of her vehicle.

Legg told the court Conklin had sustained 11 gunshot wounds and eight bullets were retrieved from her body.

Judge Seamans said that of his 28 years on the bench he had seen some horrendous murders. “This is one of the most horrendous and callous I have seen. There’s no rhyme or reason for it.”

Prior to his sentencing, Kopacz took the stand for nearly one hour, at first reading from a prepared statement.

Looking at Conklin’s family and friends assembled in the courtroom, Kopacz said, “As I look around the room I see the pain, hurt and sadness I know I caused. I also see the hate and anger you feel towards me. Like you, I suffer everyday knowing the hurt and sadness you feel is my fault. Because of me you don’t get to see your daughter, hug your daughter or hear your daughter’s voice.”

“It should not have happened. Kelly should be here, not me,” he continued.

Kopacz did not speak about the shooting. Instead, he provided details about his life since the murder. “I was struggling mentally and emotionally with what happened,” he said.

“I am sorry,” he concluded, “I truly am.”

Conklin’s mother, Anne Lee Conklin took the stand. “I am the mother of an angel daughter, forever 22,” she said. “It has been 11 months since she was taken from us. My heart is crushed; we will never be the same.”

“We have been sentenced to life without parole,” Mrs. Conklin said. “Hate is a harsh word, but I do hate you.”

In his statement to the court, District Attorney Jason Legg said, “Parents aren’t equipped to bury their children.”

“Nothing we do here can heal the wounds and brokenness. In the end, can we ever really give justice?” Legg questioned. “This closes a chapter in Kelly’s life and in her family’s life, but it doesn’t end the tragedy.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Kopacz was also ordered to pay $14,785 for Conklin’s funeral expenses.

Outside the courtroom, Kelly’s sister, Caryn Conklin said, “Justice will never be served but this was the best possible outcome.”