Daniel Callihan now faces six life sentences for killing Loranger mother, daughter
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Daniel Callihan now faces a total of six life sentences for killing a Loranger mother and kidnapping and killing her daughter.
A federal judge Wednesday handed Callihan two additional life sentences, bringing his total to six across three jurisdictions for the murders of Callie and Erin Brunett. The 38-year-old will spend the rest of his life at Angola after stabbing Callie 50 times and kidnapping Erin and her sister to Jackson, Mississippi, where he suffocated Erin.
The victims’ sister and aunt spoke in court, calling Callie a fighter who fought until her last breath. She also memorialized her niece Erin as a sassy girl who adored her grandparents.
“What they would ultimately like to have, no one can make happen for them and that’s to have their daughter and granddaughter and sister back,” said Tangipahoa Parish District Attorney Scott Perrilloux.
The defense played a video in court in which Callihan says he considers suicide because of his actions. In the video, Callihan says sobbing that there’s nothing he can ever do to take back what he’s done.
“He has changed dramatically,” said Callihan’s defense attorney Kerry Cuccia. “He has taken responsibility for his actions.”
US District Judge Lance Africk said he saw Callihan cry on the video but not in the courtroom. He called that telling and Callihan monstrous.
“The man that stood in front of the court today is a different man than the judge was talking about today,” Cuccia said.
A prosecutor honored the victims, saying Callie and Erin, not Callihan, deserved to be the focus.
Wednesday marked the end of Callihan’s court proceedings. His co-defendant Victoria Cox, who allegedly helped kidnap and harm the two girls, could still face a life sentence.
“It’s always good to get to a step,” Perrilloux said. “I don’t think there’s anything closure wise but to get to another step where...this will be their last trip to this building for this case.”
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