NEW ALBANY, Ind. — A man who killed two people in southern Indiana before taking a woman hostage has been sentenced to more than two centuries of prison time.
On Wednesday, a New Albany judge sentenced Cherok Douglass to 240 years in prison, the maximum penalty. The state of Indiana recommended the maximum penalty while Douglass' defense asked for 131 years, which is the minimum.
There were many witnesses and impact statements read during sentencing, including statements from victims' families and a domestic violence advocate.
The prosecution argued Douglass had long history of crime and violence, which should play a roll in sentencing. He has 11 criminal convictions, as well as a juvenile conviction.
"What happened today had a roadmap," Prosecutor Chris Lane said. Douglass' defense argued he has shown remorse through this entire process.
During sentencing, Douglass told the court he wanted what the families of the victims saw fit -- which was the maximum sentence of 240 years.
The Floyd County Judge said this case was "the worst of the worst" in her opinion, and sentenced him to 240 years in prison with 570 days served as credit.
As the hearing ended, Douglass said he plans on appealing the decision. He's expected back in court on Nov. 14 for a pretrial for a separate case.
In August 2023, a jury found Cherok Douglass guilty on two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder of a police officer and robbery.
On April 4, 2022, Cherok Douglass killed his wife Brandee, and a man named Lorin Yelle, at a gas station on State Street in New Albany.
After the double-murder, Douglass went to the Onion Tea House on Charlestown Road and held the owner hostage.
He was eventually shot by police and taken into custody.
Douglass has another court date coming up for a separate case for an alleged assault that happened while he was in prison waiting for this trial.
According to court documents, Douglass helped beat a man in the showers using a sock filled with bars of soap and a razorblade. He's now facing battery charges.
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