Southern Indiana Man Receives 81-Year Sentence for Girlfriend's Murder

 


JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ind. — A 29-year-old man from Southern Indiana has been handed an 81-year prison sentence for the murder of his girlfriend.


Dalton Simmonds received his sentence on Wednesday for the tragic incident that occurred in May of 2022.


The fatal confrontation arose during an argument, which was further exacerbated when Simmonds set curtains in their house ablaze. Following this, Simmonds temporarily left the residence, only to return and fatally shoot Christy Newman. Tragically, Newman was declared deceased shortly after the incident.


Prosecutor David Sutter expressed, “This is an appropriate sentence for this heinous crime that took the life of Christy 'Cricket' Newman. This case involving domestic violence ended in the most tragic way. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This case is a sobering reminder of the devastating impact domestic violence can have.”


Simmonds was convicted in August on multiple charges, including murder, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, obstruction of justice, animal cruelty, and being a habitual felony offender.