Bollinger County teenager gets 60 years for murder

A Bollinger County teenager who pleaded guilty in June to the 2008 murder of Pamela Ackman was sentenced to 60 years in prison Monday by Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield.

John W. Wilfong, 18, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action for shooting Ackman, his cousin and caretaker, in the head at her home in Bollinger County on Dec. 30, 2008.

Wilfong was originally charged with first-degree murder, but pleaded to second-degree murder.

Mickey Ackman, the victim's husband, found his wife dead in their kitchen. He spoke at the sentencing hearing Monday, according to Bollinger County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Gray.

"He basically let [Wilfong] know how many other people he had hurt that day," Gray said.

Wilfong shot Ackman once in the back of the head, Gray said at the June plea hearing, but when he saw her move he fired another shot into the back of her head.

After the shooting, Wilfong and his brother fled the scene to go to a relative's home near Marble Hill, Mo.

A pistol belonging to the Ackmans was also found in the vehicle the boys used to leave the scene.

Gray said the 60-year sentence -- 30 years for each charge, to be served consecutively -- was what he and Wilfong's attorney had discussed.

"There were no surprises today," Gray said. "I'm pretty satisfied with the result and so is the victim's spouse. While he was addressing the judge, he said 60 years is not enough, but there's not a number that's going to feel good to anybody."

Wilfong will be eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of the second-degree murder sentence and after three years -- the statutory minimum -- of serving the sentence for the armed criminal action charge.

Gray anticipates because of the nature of the crime, it's not likely Wilfong would be out of prison that soon.

His conduct in prison will also be considered by the probation and parole board.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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