2 Of 3 Get Life Sentences In Murder Of Waterford Man During Drug Robbery
WATERFORD (WWJ) - Amid muffled sobs, two of three men convicted of murdering a young Waterford Township father have been sentenced to life in prison.
A judge on Tuesday handed down the mandatory life without parole sentences to 23-year old Donald Davis of Pontiac and 26-year old Blake Marcum of Auburn Hills. Both men, along with 21-year old Terrence Bunting Jr. of Rochester Hills, were found guilty last month in the death of Jacob Hershberger. Bunting will be sentenced later this month.
According to testimony, the murder revolved around a plan to steal Hershberger's drugs.
Following the sentencing, Hershberger's father, Michael, said the ruling provided little comfort for family members who are doing all they can to move on.
"We lost somebody very dear to us. What happened today is a little milestone to start for a future rebuild," Michael Hershberger told WWJ's Laura Bonnell. "It's never going to take the place of my son. We're going to have to live with this for the rest of our lives, as they are going to have to live with them in prison for their lives."
Michael Hershberger said his goal now is to keep the memory of his son alive, especially for his 4-year-old granddaughter, Olivia.
"I think about him 24-7, you know, all the times we went snowmobiling, all the good times, the bad times," he said. "I mean, it's just -- I'll never forget my boy. I'll remember him for the rest of my life. I wake up thinking about him and I go to sleep thinking about him."
Authorities say Jacob Hershberger awoke Nov. 8, 2014 to find the men in his apartment. Police say Marcum pulled the trigger as Jacob Hershberger wrestled with Bunting over a gun. Jacob Hershberger's girlfriend was in the home at the time, but was uninjured.
Davis is accused of helping Bunting climb a balcony to get into the apartment.
Authorities say the trio planned the robbery after learning that Jacob Hershberger was set to receive a large amount of marijuana.
