Man sentenced 22-60 years for murdering mother

SHERIDAN (WNE) — After two years, a Sheridan man guilty of murdering his mother was sentenced to prison during a sentencing hearing in 4th Judicial District Court Tuesday.

Israel Melvin, 24, was sentenced 22-60 years in the Wyoming Department of Corrections for second degree murder.

The case concludes after 25 months of court hearings, evaluations and investigation.

“This is the longest pending violent case in Sheridan County at this time,” Sheridan County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christopher LaRosa said during a status hearing Nov. 4, 2025.

Israel Melvin’s father, Paul Melvin, was given an opportunity to speak during the hearing where he recapped the events that led to the murder of his wife, Leonila Melvin.

Paul stated he did not harbor any anger toward his son and agreed with the sentencing recommendation.

Israel Melvin pleaded guilty to second degree murder Dec. 9, 2025 after originally pleading not guilty by reason of mental illness or deficiency.

For a plea of guilty to second degree murder, attorneys recommended a sentence of 22-40 years in the Wyoming Department of Corrections, which was rejected by 4th Judicial District Court Judge Darci Phillips.

Phillips shared her concern about Melvin’s future care and treatment upon future release during the sentencing hearing Tuesday.

“It’s the top number (40 years) that gives me pause. Ensuring that this does not happen again leads me to believe that 40 is insufficient and leaves him unsupervised in his 50s,” Phillips said. 

Phillips said the top number she had in mind was in the 60s and proceeded to reject the plea agreement, with the hope of imposing a higher sentence number. A 10-minute recess followed, giving Booth and LaRosa time to discuss the new developments.

After the 10-minute recess, Melvin and his council expressed their desire to move forward, accepting the revised sentence of 22-60 years in the Wyoming Department of Corrections.

This story was published on Feb. 24, 2026.