The crock pot killer who lost her lid and beat a friend to death with a slow-cooker during an argument over politics last autumn has been sentenced by a Detroit judge to at least 23 years in prison.
Tewana Sullivan, 51, has a history of mental illness and originally plea bargained to a similar length term which included psychiatric treatment while incarcerated.
Last month, though, she expressed discontent with that decision and requested a much lighter sentence, for fear she was “not going to make it” if jailed for such a long duration.
The court, however, felt the sentencing Sullivan first agreed to was appropriate in the end. Particularly in light of the fact that a guilty verdict was a surety and conviction under those circumstances would have omitted the mental healthcare the defendant very much required.
It’s an odd adjudication regardless, because usually psychologically impaired individuals charged with high crimes, such as first-degree murder, are declared unfit to stand trial.
Thus, disabled defendants like Detroit’s crock pot killer, who are definitely guilty of perpetrating violent offenses, would more likely find themselves committed to psychiatric facilities, as opposed to ordinary prisons.
It’s not clear though if Tewana Sullivan can now appeal.
