CALLAHAN GETS

25 YEARS TO LIFE

Man Found Guilty Of Killing Wife

By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

COOPERSTOWN – Casey Callahan, 52, who was found guilty of the January 2000 murder of his wife Elizabeth Welsh in the county's first murder trial in decades, was sentenced to 25-to-life by Judge John F. Lambert during his hearing yesterday on Otsego County Court.

"It's the maximum sentence, and I'm satisfied," said District Attorney John Muehl. "This was a cold, calculated, pre-meditated murder."

"I ask the court to consider the magnitude and impact of this crime that took Elizabeth's life and what it has done to her son and family," said her sister, Marie Valentine, in a statement to the judge.  "I would ask your honor to consider sentencing Casey Callahan to the maximum sentence under the law, as any time he spends incarcerated is nothing compared to what he did to Elizabeth and what her family has and will experience in our lifetime."