Former Va. Tech student sentenced to 45 years in prison for murder
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. - A former Virginia Tech student and Corps of Cadets member was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the 2014 killing of a fellow student.
The Roanoke Times reports Judge Robert Turk sentenced Jessica Michelle Ewing to 80 years for first-degree murder in the death of Samantha Shrestha. Court documents say Ewing's sentence will be suspended in 2060 and she'll be put on probation for 20 years after her release.
Ewing was accused of killing Shrestha on Feb. 7, 2014 when the two planned a "date night." In court, Ewing testified she strangled Shrestha with a chokehold. Shrestha also suffered blunt force trauma to her head and her upper and lower extremities.
The body of the 21-year-old biology student was found in the back seat of her Mercedes.
In Monday's testimony, the 24-year-old Ewing said she dealt with depression.