Thomas Earl Brown Jr., 39, had been convicted of premeditated first-degree murder in the 2014 slaying of 42-year-old Tiffany Davenport-Ray and the attempted murder of her new husband, Melvin Ray.
Brown must serve at least 71 years of his sentence, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. He had previously been convicted of several felonies, including voluntary manslaughter, according to the newspaper.
Shots were fired at the Topeka newlyweds from a SUV in which Brown and two others were riding. Melvin Ray returned fire, but was not wounded.
Their Dodge Charger had six bullet holes, a Topeka police officer testified, according to the Capital-Journal.
Judge David Debenham said it was “inconceivable” that Davenport-Ray was killed so soon after her wedding.
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“A person is entitled to be married for more than nine hours,” Debenham said Tuesday, according to the Capital-Journal.
Another person who was in the SUV was killed three weeks later, the newspaper reported.
Co-defendant Awnterio Dwan Lowery had previously been sentenced to life in prison.
With News Wire Services
Article Appeared @http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/kansas-man-life-prison-killing-bride-gown-article-1.2818773