EMPORIUM (EC) — A 35-year-old Cameron County man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 to 36 years in state prison after pleading guilty to slashing a woman to death with a box cutter in a role-playing game.
Michael Fuller Courtney entered a guilty plea to one count of murder in the third degree, and was sentenced by President Judge Richard Masson.
Deborah Lynn Gerlach, 45, was killed in her home on South Wood Street on the evening of Oct. 26, 2016. According to Courtney’s statements to police, the two were playing a game called “Tit for Tat,” which involved participants copying each other’s acts, with the chosen actions increasing in severity throughout the length of the game.
Courtney told police at the time of his arrest that the two were holding box cutters to each other’s necks as part of the game, and he accidentally cut Gerlach during his turn. A police affidavit states that forensic investigators discovered two gashes on Gerlach’s body. The laceration on the front of her neck was a little over an inch long; one across her back, side, and neck measured nearly 8 inches in length.
Gerlach’s mother, who was unable to travel to Cameron County for the hearing, prepared a statement, which was read by District Attorney Jeanne Miglicio during the proceedings.
“She was a wonderful daughter … I loved her so very much,” she wrote. The letter detailed the last several visits that Gerlach had with her mother, and an incident when Gerlach came to visit with a large wound on her forehead.
“Yes, Michael, I knew about you…. I needed to remember that this was not the daughter I knew; this is what she became,” the letter stated.
The mother accused Courtney of isolating Gerlach from her family and being abusive, and stated that “her illness kept her coming back to you.”
Courtney did not address the court throughout proceedings, asking his attorney to do so on his behalf. Attorney Fred Hummel Jr. stated that Courtney has been nothing but remorseful since the incident occurred.
“He did make reference to how badly he feels about the incident; they were friends,” Hummel stated.
Hummel said Courtney’s behavior was the result of long-term alcohol addiction, and in researching his background, Hummel discovered that Courtney has been admitted to 13 inpatient rehabilitation programs.
“All of his crimes, including this one, were alcohol-related,” Hummel said.
The day before Gerlach’s murder, Courtney called the police to report that someone had ransacked his home, only later discovering that he had done it himself, Hummel said.
Hummel also stated that Courtney’s actions after the murder were “honorable.” Courtney reported the incident to police, waited for them to arrive and then led them to Gerlach’s home because he could not provide an address. Courtney also cooperated with police while being interviewed.
Miglicio quickly spoke out, stating that Courtney’s actions could not be viewed as noble or honorable, and that the details of the crime would actually make it possible for Courtney to be prosecuted for first-degree murder.
Masson agreed with the sentencing recommendations and plea negotiations, stating that Gerlach’s death certainly fit the criteria of third-degree murder, as Courtney had disregarded the risks and demonstrated an extreme indifference to human life on the night of her death.
Masson also noted that the maximum penalty that could be imposed for third-degree murder is 40 years, plus a $50,000 fine; a sentence in the mitigated range would be 12 years, while the standard range would be up to 20 years. As the crime would likely fit into the first-degree murder statute, Courtney was sentenced at the higher end of the sentencing range for third-degree murder, but will not face first-degree murder charges.
“It’s very unfortunate that you were not able to maintain any control over your significant alcohol addiction problem … you have a long-term, ingrained problem with alcohol,” Masson said. “This sentence should also address your rehabilitation needs. There are programs in the State Department of Corrections to help you.”
Courtney was remanded into the custody of the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department, to be immediately transferred to the State Correctional Institution’s Diagnostic and Classification Center at Camp Hill. He will receive credit for 331 days served since his arrest in October.
He was also ordered to pay $4,933 in restitution to the County of Cameron for forensic testing fees, and $2,366 to the Victim’s Compensation Assistance Program to help cover the costs of Gerlach’s burial.
