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Oxford man sentenced to 45 years in shooting that killed wife, injured mother-in-law

MILFORD — An Oxford man who fatally shot his estranged wife and shot his mother-in-law in the head last year was sentenced on Tuesday. Scott Gellatly, who had n...

MILFORD — An Oxford man who fatally shot his estranged wife and shot his mother-in-law in the head last year was sentenced on Tuesday.

Scott Gellatly, who had never said more than yes or no during his previous court appearances, finally spoke after a judge confirmed a previously agreed to sentence of 45 years behind bars, which means he'll spend at least 25 years in prison before being up for parole.

When the judge asked Gellatly’s public defender if his client wished to say anything, Gellatly nodded and pulled the microphone closer to him.

“The prosecutor, of course, you're gonna blow everything up to make me a monster,” said Gellatly.

Gellatly also told Judge Frank Iannotti that it was a mistake that he killed his wife. But, the judge said didn’t agree, saying “a mistake is when you put milk in your coffee instead of cream.”

Oxford man sentenced to 45 years in shooting that killed wife, injured mother-in-law

Lori's official name when she died was Lori Gellatly, but her family has asked that her maiden name be used.

State’s Attorney Kevin Lawlor told the court  Lori Jackson was so afraid of her estranged husband, she would sleep with a home security alarm fob pinned to her nightgown after the couple split up.

Lori had obtained a restraining order against her husband shortly before the shooting, calling him mentally ill and violent. The killing came a day before a court hearing on whether to extend the restraining order.

“One selfish act has left me without seeing her big smile, hearing her goofy laugh or watching her silly antics,” said Lori Jackson's sobbing sister, Kacey Mason.

However, Mason says this life altering event “did not break me. This did not break my family. I have found the strength I never knew I had.”

Then, there was a chuckle of disbelief in the courtroom after Gellatly said “Laurie is an angel. She's my angel. And she is in heaven. And I will see her soon.”

A family member chimed in with “There’s no room for you in heaven.”

The judge said Gellatly is not permitted to have contact with anyone in his wife’s family, including his twin children, who turn three next week.

Unsolicited, Gellatly queried the judge: “What about a condition to do it only until they’re 16?” he asked.

Oxford man sentenced to 45 years in shooting that killed wife, injured mother-in-law

As the gallery chuckled again, Gellatly mumbled “That's a dumb answer.”

The Jackson family, several dozen strong, was wearing purple to raise awareness for domestic violence.

“Also it’s my daughter’s favorite color,” said Merry Jackson, with a smile. Mrs. Jackson said she endures physical and emotional pain everyday as a result of the shooting that not only claimed her “best friend,” but also claimed her left eye.

“Lori's at peace,” said Jackson. "We know where she is. We can go forward now and start to live our life again.”

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