Kevin Tolliver stuck to his story until the bitter end this afternoon at his sentencing hearing at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
Tolliver, 34, was sentenced to 18 years to life by Judge John A. Connor in the Dec. 29 shooting death of Ohio State student Claire Schneider, a senior in Spanish and international studies. He was convicted of one count of murder with a firearm specification on Monday.
Tolliver spoke on his own behalf this afternoon, and broke into tears as he addressed the packed court.
“She shot herself that night,” Tolliver said. “I loved her.”
The judge had no discretion in the sentencing of Tolliver. He was bound by the guidelines set by statute. Tolliver received 15 years for the murder and three for the firearm.
Family members addressed the court first, before Judge Connor passed down the sentence.
Schneider’s aunt, Beverly Dowdell, spoke first as she struggled to hold back tears.
“A precious piece is gone now,” Dowdell said. “Claire’s 80-year-old grandmother can’t walk past her picture without crying.”
While family members spoke to the court, Tolliver sat with his head down, eyes closed and handcuffed. He glanced up periodically, only to look back down.
Zach Schneider, Claire’s 9-year-old brother, also spoke.
“I will miss you, Sissy,” Zach Schneider said.
Following the sentencing, Claire Schneider’s father Walt said he was not sure of Tolliver’s guilt leading into the trial, but after hearing all the testimony and evidence he was convinced Tolliver did it.
