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Kalkaska County Woman Sentenced for Her Role in Father’s Death

A Kalkaska County woman will spend at least 10 years in prison for her role in the death and torture of her father.

A judge sentenced Jessica Degroot almost eight months after her father Michael was found dead.

Deputies say Jessica and her husband Brian tortured and killed Michael at his home in Springfield Township back in January.

Jessica was originally charged with open murder, but took a plea deal for manslaughter.

In exchange, she provided information to investigators about what happened.

This is a case that has been difficult on two families.

There were plenty of tears Tuesday morning as the judge did not hold back, going above the sentencing guidelines.

The judge called this one of the most gruesome crimes he’s ever seen, and one of the worst in the history of Kalkaska County.

The prosecutor says Jessica’s actions during the torture and killing of Michael were deliberate and that she knew what she was doing and had multiple chances to stop what was going on, but did not, which ended with her father enduring a horrific death.

As for the family, they did not speak during the sentencing and declined to speak after, but both sides were fighting back tears as the judge handed down the sentence.

We’ll have continuing coverage on 9&10 News at 5&6, including why the judge told Jessica he almost chose to say nothing to her before the sentencing.

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