A woman found guilty to shooting and killing her husband in Montgomery County in 2017 was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
During a hearing Monday afternoon, Boone County Judge Kevin Crane sentenced Lynlee Renick, 33.
In December, a jury from Clay County found Lynlee guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action following her trial in Boone County on a change of venue in the case. The jury could have found her guilty of first-degree murder but also had the options of second-degree murder, or first-or second-degree involuntary manslaughter.
The jury recommended she be sentenced to 13 years in prison on the murder charge and three years on the armed criminal action charge. Under state law, the jury could have given a sentencing recommendation of life in prison or 10-30 years for the second-degree murder charge, and three to 15 years for the armed criminal action charge.
On the night of June 8, 2017, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office received a report of a deceased person at Renick's Reptiles in New Florence. Deputies found the body of Benjamin Renick and determined he died from multiple gunshot wounds.
During the investigation, a person with whom authorities said Lynlee Renick was having an affair came forward with new information about the shooting. This person said Lynlee was afraid her husband would take their children and had found out Benjamin planned to end the marriage.
Facebook records obtained by authorities indicate Benjamin was upset Lynlee's spa business in Columbia was causing a strain on the couple's finances.
The witness told authorities Lynlee and a friend had come up with a plan to kill Benjamin with a protein drink laced with narcotics. Benjamin did get sick after drinking the drink, but he didn't die, according to the probable cause statement.
Authorities said Lynlee contacted Michael Humphrey, 37, of Jefferson City, who was an ex-boyfriend, to come up with a plan to shoot and kill Benjamin. However, on the day of the shooting, Humphrey told Lynlee he "didn't feel comfortable doing it," believing Lynlee would regret killing her husband, according to court documents.
When this occurred, authorities said Lynlee went into the snake shop and fatally shot Benjamin.
In October, a Cape Girardeau County jury found Humphrey guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. His trial was held on a change of venue in Audrain County.
Due to Humphrey agreeing to testify in the trial of Lynlee, prosecutors reduced the charge against Humphrey to second-degree murder. Earlier this month, he was sentenced to life in prison, which is the maximum sentence for second-degree murder under state law.