Tracy Smith

Instead, what they spent the most time grappling with was whether Scott Sills was guilty of first-degree or second-degree murder. First-degree murder requires premeditation and deliberation.

Instead, what they spent the most time grappling with was whether Scott Sills was guilty of first-degree or second-degree murder. First-degree murder requires premeditation and deliberation.

But investigator Dave Holloway says while Scott Sills may not have planned his crime, he certainly had the time to think about what he was doing.

But investigator Dave Holloway says while Scott Sills may not have planned his crime, he certainly had the time to think about what he was doing.

But investigator Dave Holloway says while Scott Sills may not have planned his crime, he certainly had the time to think about what he was doing.

On March 15, 2024, about three months after the verdict, court reconvened for sentencing. Suzanne Sill's mother, Teresa Neubauer, addressed the court and kept the focus on her daughter.

On March 15, 2024, about three months after the verdict, court reconvened for sentencing. Suzanne Sill's mother, Teresa Neubauer, addressed the court and kept the focus on her daughter.

On March 15, 2024, about three months after the verdict, court reconvened for sentencing. Suzanne Sill's mother, Teresa Neubauer, addressed the court and kept the focus on her daughter.

Hopes and dreams, Neubauer said, that one day Suzanne would see her daughter, Mary Catherine, walk down the stairs of the family's San Clemente home on her wedding day.

Hopes and dreams, Neubauer said, that one day Suzanne would see her daughter, Mary Catherine, walk down the stairs of the family's San Clemente home on her wedding day.

Hopes and dreams, Neubauer said, that one day Suzanne would see her daughter, Mary Catherine, walk down the stairs of the family's San Clemente home on her wedding day.

Mary Catherine also addressed the court and spoke of all the loss she had endured at such a young age. She and her brother were taken in by a family friend after their father's arrest, and that family friend died suddenly of a health condition around the end of the trial. She asked the judge to show her father mercy.

Mary Catherine also addressed the court and spoke of all the loss she had endured at such a young age. She and her brother were taken in by a family friend after their father's arrest, and that family friend died suddenly of a health condition around the end of the trial. She asked the judge to show her father mercy.

Mary Catherine also addressed the court and spoke of all the loss she had endured at such a young age. She and her brother were taken in by a family friend after their father's arrest, and that family friend died suddenly of a health condition around the end of the trial. She asked the judge to show her father mercy.

Judge Patrick Donahue sentenced Scott Sills to the mandatory sentence under California law, 15 years to life in prison.

Judge Patrick Donahue sentenced Scott Sills to the mandatory sentence under California law, 15 years to life in prison.

Judge Patrick Donahue sentenced Scott Sills to the mandatory sentence under California law, 15 years to life in prison.

His fate was decided, but for so many, questions remain. Exactly what led up to Suzanne Sills' death? Do you think we'll ever know exactly how it happened?

His fate was decided, but for so many, questions remain. Exactly what led up to Suzanne Sills' death? Do you think we'll ever know exactly how it happened?

His fate was decided, but for so many, questions remain. Exactly what led up to Suzanne Sills' death? Do you think we'll ever know exactly how it happened?