Matthew Harrison, 49, will serve the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty on July 23 to first-degree murder and strangulation in the death of his wife, Jami Harrison.
Jami Harrison, 49, was fatally strangled in her home on February 5, 2024, and her 11-year-old daughter tragically discovered her body.
Judge Jeffrey Conrad sentenced Harrison to life in prison plus an extra five to ten years, emphasizing the seriousness and malice of his conduct.
During the sentencing, Judge Conrad criticized Matthew Harrison, saying he “had a duty to love, honor, and protect” his wife but instead “acted with malice and hatred” and performed “one of the most cowardly acts a man can do.”
Prosecutors described a history of alleged abuse, with one of Jami Harrison’s elder daughters providing a strong impact statement, calling Harrison a “coward” and detailing her expectations for him to be a father figure, only to watch his alleged abuse of her mother.
Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick presented evidence that included “vulgar and degrading” text messages made by Harrison to his wife in the days leading up to her death, as well as communications to relatives and coworkers indicating premeditation.
Following his arrest, Harrison made troubling statements to officials, alleging that Jami “wanted him to kill her so she could stop being a wh-e,'” and that he thought he had “set her free.”
Despite these alarming words, Harrison reportedly apologized for his behavior in court, stating that “there was nothing he could say to help the situation.”
