CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A man found guilty of fatally shooting his estranged wife was sentenced to 88 years with 20 suspended Monday. That means he will serve 68 years for the 2022 murder.
Police said Ben Wynkoop, 46, shot and killed 44-year-old Kathryn Dean inside her home on Willow Oak Drive on April 4, 2022.
He was found guilty of second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a murder, armed burglary, violation of a protective order, and several other firearm charges in June of 2023.
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Chesapeake man found guilty of fatally shooting estranged wife in 2022
At the time of Dean's death, her family members said that there was a history of abuse in her three-year marriage to Wynkoop. She had separated from him, obtained a protective order against him, and was in the process of filing for divorce.
The Chesapeake mother called 911 just minutes before she was killed. Before Wynkoop's trial in June, lawyers went back and forth on whether the call should be given to the jury, as listeners could hear Dean being left to die and taking her final breaths.
Dean is survived by two children and three stepchildren.
Watch previous coverage: Chesapeake man found guilty of fatally shooting estranged wife in 2022
At Monday's sentencing, her loved ones took the stand and talked about how devastating the crime had been for their family.
Dean's former husband and best friend, Larry Dean, told the judge how her death had impacted Dean's stepchildren and their son Noah.
Larry said his son who was an exceptional student saw his grades fall after his mom's death and eventually moved to Florida with his dad.
Larry also spoke about how hard it was to deal with Dean's assets since she was married to Wynkoop.
Katelyn Dean, Dean's daughter, also told the judge how her mom's death changed her life.
She said after her mom's death she had to hold a garage sale every other weekend in the garage her mom was shot in to make sure the bank didn't get it.
During the defense's victim impact statements, Wynkoop's sister told the judge how her brother had the biggest heart.
She talked about how her brother was there for her during a difficult time for her family and that since being in jail he's been on medication and felt like her brother was more himself again.
A doctor later appeared in front of the judge and said Wynkoop had borderline personality disorder and dealt with PTSD.
The doctor told the judge that Wynkoop needed treatment.
Wynkoop's attorney asked the judge to stay with the sentencing guidelines in this case in the hope that Wynkoop could receive help.
Assistant Commonwealth Attorney, Michael Peterson, told the judge if this case with the protective order, isn't a case where life in prison is appropriate that he didn't know what was.
Wynkoop also testified and said he took full responsibility for what happened and apologized for what he did.
As he was escorted from the courtroom after his sentencing, he told his family he loved them and then looked at Dean's family and cursed.
"It honestly brought a smile to my face because he can't hurt my mom," Katelyn said when asked about what Wynkoop said. "It doesn't hurt my feelings all it did was show the judge, his lawyers, and everyone in that room that we weren't just saying he was a bad person because our mom was dead and we were upset. We were genuinely speaking from our heart."
Larry said he does feel for Wynkoop's family and said he feels the sentence will likely have a negative impact on them too.
Before his guilty verdict, Wynkoop pleaded not guilty to the seven separate charges related to Dean's death. His attorneys said Wynkoop was offered plea deals but declined.
If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, a list of available resources is as follows:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text 88788
Samaritan House
G.R.O.W. Foundation
