TRAVERSE CITY -- A Traverse City teenager will spend no less than 40 years in prison for killing Carly Lewis.
Judge Thomas Powers sentenced Robert Jensen Schwander, 18, to at least 40 years, but not more than 70 for the crime. According to sentencing guidelines Schwander could have faced 15 years to life in prison.
During Friday's hearing Carly's mom, dad, and brother all read statements. Schwander also read a statement before Judge Powers handed down his sentence.
Schwander was found guilty of 2nd Degree Murder last month. Carly Lewis, 16, was found dead in a sandpile in Traverse City in June.
Schwander's attorney, Craig Elhart, will file an appeal. He says the reason is because the Judge's sentence more than tripled what the guidelines recommended.
