By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – Elizabeth Bosworth, 32, didn't have much to say Friday morning before she received a sentence of 21-to-40 years prison for second-degree murder of her husband's grandmother more than a year ago.
She told the court that she was "sorry" about 85-year-old Margaret Bosworth's death whom she was convicted of murdering at her house on May 17 at 20616 Grange St. in Edwardsburg.
In Cass County Circuit Court before Judge Michael Dodge, relatives and friends cried uncontrollably as Deborah Bosworth, daughter-in-law of the deceased, addressed the court.
Deborah Bosworth, David Bosworth's wife, said they are living on with their grieving process and are reminded of the way she died. "We have not seen justice," she said. "Margaret never met a person she didn't like. She would ask if they were a Christian. She regularly attended church and played the organ there. She was married 50 years. She took care of her husband after he had a stroke. She never left his side and always had a smile. She doted on her children or grandchildren. She was beaten and brutally murdered."
Deborah said she confronted Elizabeth. She was either pushed or fell down the basement steps, but she was still alive, she said. She attempted to pull herself up. "How cold and cruel. This is over a $1,000 check. She could have admitted she stole it, but she did not. Every step of the way, she made a wrong choice." She said Elizabeth called her night and day while in jail. She told her it was an accident. "Not once did she say she was sorry. She led police to the knife. She still has not said she is sorry."
Deborah said the family asked for 21 years because she thought it was the most she would plead to. "Most of us thought it was not enough if she was capable of murder. This is heartless murder," she pleaded in asking for a life sentence. She said after serving 21 years, she could pose a danger to anyone in the family.
Prosecutor Victor Fitz said, "Murder cases are the most serious type of case we in the justice system deal with."
Fitz read a summary of letters he received from the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends of the victim. "Margaret Bosworth did not know a stranger … She always put others first."
"Elizabeth took the life of a very loving person, Fitz continued saying, a mother, a grandmother and a friend. She wove such a tangled web of deceit and thievery and entitlement that she ultimately saw herself as the victim in every situation, even the brutal bludgeoning of a frail 85-year-old grandmother. She was financially preyed upon and then murdered by a selfish granddaughter in law. Granny was knocked down the stairs, brutally and repeatedly stabbed and left there to die. Elizabeth Bosworth selfishly diverted help away from the home. She died in a pool of blood."
Defense attorney Dale Blunier said that the case was most difficult to the prosecutor and the court. "There is no doubt this was a senseless tragedy. Elizabeth is a good mother. There is no reason why this should have happened. She has no criminal record. She was adopted, abused, led a tough life. She says she has no recollection of this event. She was in special education at one time. This created a shell around her. She is not sophisticated, but has done terribly wrong. If she could remember fully, she would apologize," he said.
Blunier told of Bosworth's attempted suicide in jail and said it was a cry for help. He said her adopted mother is concerned about her and is scared. He asked the court to follow the recommendations of the probation department.
Dodge said there was a confrontation with her husband's grandmother over Elizabeth's accusations of stealing $1,000 from her on May 17. He said, "You stabbed her to death, five stab wounds, and left her for dead in her own home." She had no record and the sentence guideline range is 225 months to 375 or life, but the agreement is for 21 years. He noted two competency examinations were done on Bosworth to see if she was criminally responsible.
She was given credit for time served of 365 days for larceny of the knife credited from her 371 days served. Her costs were $996 plus $5,716.56 restitution.