grandma convicted of killing grandson (PHOTO)

Michigan Grandmother Guilty of Second-Degree Murder

A Michigan grandmother was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2012 shooting death of her 17-year-old grandson during an argument. A second conviction for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony was also handed down. Sandra Layne, 75, shed tears as the verdict was read in a Pontiac courtroom. She could be sentenced to 14 years in prison for the crimes.

Layne shot Jonathon Hoffman while the two argued about a failed drug test and money. She claimed he struck her, was swearing and she was afraid for her life. Hoffman was hit by six bullets over the span of several minutes, some of which were fired while he pleaded for help to a 911 dispatcher.

The prosecution argued that Layne’s claim of self-defense was not consistent with her later loving statements about the boy. Hoffman’s desperate 911 call was critical in the jury’s quick verdict.

Original Story

Grandma Confesses to Killing Grandson

Sandra Layne, the 75 year old grandmother, who shot and killed her minor grandson, gave her personal testimony today. Jonathan Hoffman, the name of her 17-year-old grandson, who she shot last year. Under questioning, she struggled to remember the details of the event. She told the court that she shot him for fear of her life.

The day of the shooting, Layne told the court that her grandson had hysterical behavior that day. And, he was afraid to go to jail. He was afraid because he failed his drug test, a court ordered drug test. He was asking her for the keys to her car, and he wanted her to give him a couple thousand dollars in cash. She said “I wouldn’t give him either.

According to Layne, after she told Jonathan that she would call his parents, to notify them about his conduct, he became violent towards her.

Layne didn’t feel secure around Jonathan’s friends, with his behavior or with his drug use. And these made her fearful. The day of the shooting, she admitted that they had a serious argument. She claims that he was swearing and yelling at her. And later she said he attacked her. That’s when “I shot the gun” Layne said.

Hoffman called police to report that he had been shot by Layne. Neighbors had called in minutes earlier alerting police of shots.

According to Lt. Tim Diamond of the West Bloomfield Police Department, officers who had just arrived on the scene heard shots ringing out as Hoffman pleaded on the phone with dispatchers.

According to ABC News:

Dispatchers listened as the teenager screamed and told police that he had been shot multiple times. According to Lt. Tim Diamond of the West Bloomfield Police Department, officers who had just arrived on the scene heard shots ringing out as Hoffman pleaded on the phone with dispatchers.

Hoffman was taken to Botsford Hospital and was pronounced dead 30 minutes later. A preliminary medical report found that there were two bullets in Hoffman’s body and that he had eight entry or exit wounds. A full autopsy report will not be released for weeks.

Lyne was standing at the door with the gun still in her hand when police arrived.

“The circumstances are shocking and tragic. We’ve had husbands and wives killing each other but this is the first we’ve heard of a grandmother shooting a grandson,” Diamond told ABC News.

No trial date has been set. Layne is being held in prison without bond.

On The Web:

Michigan grandma convicted of second-degree murder in grandson’s death
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/19/michigan-grandma-convicted-second-degree-murder-in-grandson-death/

Michigan Grandmother Tearfully Testifies About Fatally Shooting Grandson
http://abcnews.go.com/US/michigan-grandmother-testifies-fatally-shooting-grandson/story?id=18731417