WHEELING, W.Va (WTRF) – The ex-wife of a Wheeling murderer finds out how much time she will spend in prison.
7News Anchor/Reporter Annalise Murphy has been closely following this murder case in Ohio County since the trial started back in July of this year.
Amanda Allison Carmen pleaded guilty to the felony crime of gross child neglect as a part of a plea agreement with the prosecutor in her ex-husband’s (William Ross Carmen) murder trial.
On Thursday, Judge David Sims sentenced her to no less than one year and no more than five years in a state correctional facility for that crime.
Along with this sentence, she will be under law enforcement supervision for five years and must register as a child abuser for 10 years following her release.
She was not granted the time she served under house arrest but did receive a 25-day credit to her sentence for time served in jail prior to being put under house arrest.
The court heard from the grandparents of Anorah Schostag’s son – who had very powerful statements.
They say grief is unexpressed love. Love with no place to go. Anorah’s son was three when she was brutally murdered.
While it took him time to realize she wasn’t coming home, he mourns the moments he will never share with his mom. And he still deals with the trauma of witnessing her murder.
His paternal grandparents have cared for him since his mother’s death, and officially adopted him last November. His maternal grandmother has “limited visitation” according to the statement she gave in court.
William Piccard, his paternal grandfather, tearfully spoke about this trauma in front of the court during Allison’s sentencing.
“(My grandson) will be in and out of therapy for the rest of his life. And that is per his therapist. He suffered a tremendous amount of psychological trauma since witnessing the death of his mother. He’s had night terrors that lasted for hours. He’d be inconsolable, screaming and crying. He sleeps in our living room. This has been going on for two years. He sleeps in our living room on one couch. And my wife Pam sleeps on the other. He puts blocks up around the couch to protect them from the bandit, so he won’t come in and hurt him.”
William Piccard | Paternal Grandfather
Piccard mentioned he worked for the Wheeling Police Department as a police officer for 25 years and has never seen a case this horrific.
“I know most of the people in this courtroom, they don’t know what evil looks like. And if you do see an evil person you don’t know, you can’t judge people by their looks and the way they appear. You get judged by your actions. And I think we’re looking at evil here that most people have never seen.”
William Piccard | Paternal Grandfather
Towards the end of his statement, he shared three photos with the courtroom. Two of Anorah and her son, and one of Anorah, her son and his maternal grandmother.
“This picture can never be reproduced again, ever. And the happiness that’s on his face. We only pray that it will come back again.”
William Piccard | Paternal Grandfather
Jane Hafer, Anorah’s mother, also spoke in front of the court saying she thinks of her daughter every minute of her life.
“My daughter Anorah Schostag was one of the most loving, caring, compassionate and intelligent people you’d ever want to meet. I had Anorah for 41 years of her life, but my grandson only had her for his short three years. He is the one that suffers the most loss.”
Jane Hafer | Anorah’s Mother
Hafer says Allison brought drama into the lives of Anorah and her son, and willingly put them both in danger of William Carmen, knowing how dangerous he was.
“She opened her home for a woman who needed protection from her husband, William Carmen. Anorah bought clothing for Amanda. She babysat her child. She loaned her money. And Anorah was very compassionate, generous and kind to Amanda Carmen. My heart breaks wide open when I think of that moment when Anorah realized how grossly betrayed she had been by Amanda.”
Jane Hafer | Anorah’s Mother
In the words of Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Shawn Turak – justice has been served.
“This sentence represents her criminal involvement, and because of that, she will serve time in prison. A three-year-old child was present when his mother was murdered. There can be no other sentence than incarceration.”
Shawn Turak | Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Turak also commented on the grandparents’ statements.
“It’s hard not to wear your heart on your sleeve when you see things as horrific as we see in this field. I thought that they made eloquent and beautiful statements on behalf of their grandson, and I think those words need to be uttered.”
Shawn Turak | Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Turak says she wishes both families peace moving forward.
Amanda Allison Carmen, ex-wife of William Ross Carmen who was found guilty of the brutal murder of Anorah Schostag, was sentenced in an Ohio County courtroom Thursday afternoon.
Judge David Sims sentenced Allison to no less than one year and no more than five years in a state correctional facility.
Allison will be under law enforcement supervision for five years following her release from prison and must register as a child abuser for 10 years upon her release.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Shawn Turak continually said she feels justice was served, and this was the best sentence for Allison’s crime. The crime of putting Schostag’s son at risk for serious bodily injury or death.
During Allison’s sentencing, the grandparents of Schostag’s son gave statements in front of the court.
Paternal grandfather Bill Piccard, and maternal grandmother, Jane Hafer, both talked about the lifelong trauma the murder of Schostag has caused for their grandson.
Both grandparents asked the court to impose the maximum sentence on Allison.
Piccard called Allison evil, and Hafer said she thinks of Anorah every minute of her life and wonders what Anorah thought and felt after realizing she had been “betrayed” by “a friend she thought she was helping.”
Stay with 7News for updates on this developing story.
