A Pasadena man was sentenced to life in prison without parole yesterday for the murder of his fiancee, who was killed in an attempt to cash in on her $150,000 life insurance policy.
Robert D. Harris, 24, was convicted last month in the shooting death of Teresa Lynn McLeod, 27. She died from five gunshot wounds in January 1996 during a staged robbery attempt in a secluded Southwest Baltimore parking lot.
Harris displayed little emotion as Baltimore Circuit Judge John C. Themelis pronounced sentence. In addition to life without parole for McLeod's murder, Harris received a concurrent life sentence for conspiracy and solicitation, and 20 years for the use of a handgun in the commission of a violent crime.
"I loved Teresa very much. I loved Ricky [McLeod's 11-year-old son] very much. I will always remain innocent, and that's something that can't be taken away from me," Harris said before sentencing, his voice cracking while he quickly wiped away tears.
Outside the courtroom, after officers had led Harris away, McLeod's family embraced and cried.
"I felt good about the sentence. I like what he got. We were hoping he would get life without parole," said Barbara Arthur, the victim's mother, who displayed a pin with McLeod's picture on her dress.
In court, attorneys offered differing views of Harris' character.
Assistant State's Attorney Ahmet Hisim described Harris' "cold, calculated" actions as "the worst kind of crime."
Defense attorney Rodney M. Gaston countered that Harris had "no history of violence" and that it was "inappropriate for the state to argue for life without parole."
Harris -- who is white and was shot in the thigh during the slaying -- first told police that a black man dressed in a camouflage jacket and black-and-white pants had killed McLeod in an attempted robbery.
Police then charged Harris in McLeod's death, saying he had hired a hit man for $20,000 to kill her. During the trial, the partner testified that he couldn't go through with the killing when McLeod begged for her life and that Harris grabbed the gun and shot her.
Gaston said he filed notice of appeal yesterday and would file a motion seeking a reduction in Harris' sentence.
Pub Date: 5/16/97
