Dad found guilty of murdering estranged wife; had also used son as human shield against SWAT team (Lakemore, Ohio)

Dad DANIEL EDWARD TICE has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his estranged wife. She had been picking up the children from a visitation with their father when he shot her in the head with a rifle. Dad subsequently used one of the sons as a human shield in a standoff with SWAT team officers. Still think bad husbands can be distinguished from bad fathers?

http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/53156372.html

Lakemore man sentenced to life for killing wife
By Ed Meyer Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 03:38 p.m. EDT, Aug 13, 2009

Daniel Edward Tice was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 23 years for the January slaying of his estranged wife.

The fatal shooting occurred at the couple's Martha Avenue home in Lakemore because, according to family members, Tice was angered over his wife's affair with a family member and her demands for a divorce.

When Brandi Tice, 28, went to the home on the afternoon of Jan. 8 to pick up their three children, Tice shot and killed her.

Police said she was shot in the head with a rifle.

Tice, 32, was scheduled to go to trial next week, but in an appearance before Summit County Common Pleas Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer, he pleaded guilty to aggravated murder with a gun specification and kidnapping.

On the recommendation of prosecutors, Stormer sentenced Tice to life in prison without parole possibility for 20 years for murder and an additional three years — a mandatory sentence that must run consecutively to the principal offense — for the gun specification.

Stormer also gave Tice 10 years for kidnapping, but ordered that sentence to run simultaneously to the murder charge.

Charges for murder, endangering children, domestic violence, one additional count of kidnapping and other firearms specifications were dismissed in the plea bargain.

After the fatal shooting, police said Tice used his son as a shield against SWAT team officers during an eight-hour standoff that ended without the child being hurt.

Officers from the SWAT team shot Tice in the forehead, but he survived the wound.

Reading a written statement in court as he faced his wife's family members in the public gallery, Tice said he was sincerely sorry for his actions.

''I hope you will find comfort and peace within your heart with God's help,'' he said, reading the statement with no visible emotion, ''and I deeply apologize for everything that I have done.

''I pray for God's forgiveness and guidance in everyone's lives, and may God be with us all,'' he said in conclusion.

Jessica Colbetzor, a cousin of Brandi Tice's, spoke on behalf of her family.

''All of our lives will be changed forever,'' she said, ''because you couldn't walk away and let her go.''

Family members, who embraced outside the courtroom, said the children are being cared for by Sandra Fox, Brandi Tice's mother, and the victim's sister, Mandi Hostetler, at their home in Green.

Sandra Fox said they hope to be granted permanent custody of the children — two girls, ages 9 and 8, and a boy who is 5.