LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – A Lima man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2023 shooting that left one man dead.
Michael Oliphant, 23, was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison for the death of Kirk Perine and for firing shots at employees of a doctor’s office as they were leaving work on Feb. 15, 2023. Perine was found dead in his car from a gunshot wound. An Allen County jury found him guilty of felonious assault and murder charges.
During the sentencing hearing, Perine’s wife, brother, sister and friends all urged the judge to give Oliphant life in prison.
At the time of the shooting, Oliphant said he was off his medication for a mental disorder and was hearing voices.
“I'm sorry everybody that you guys have to be here today. I took away a best friend, a dad. I dreamed of being a dad once. I have no kids, but thankfully, because I were putting them through hell being in here,” said Michael Oliphant, defendant.
“Forgiveness has to come from those who were harmed by your decisions, and this court will not pretend to know what it's like to be in their shoes, but the forgiveness isn't mine to give,” said Judge Terri Kohlrieser of the Allen County Common Pleas Court.
Oliphant has 30 days to appeal his conviction and sentencing.
