Reid given life sentence

OSHKOSH - A Neenah teen has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his father.

Seventeen-year-old Zachary Reid will be eligible for parole in 40 years, Winnebago County Judge Scott Woldt ruled Monday. Reid was convicted two months ago of killing his father, Brett, last October. During his trial, Zachary Reid argued his father abused him, and he killed his father in self-defense.

"I want to say I am sorry for what happened," said Reid before his sentence was handed down. "But what I testified to is what happened."

A jury did not believe Reid's story in June, and Judge Scott Woldt did not believe it at sentencing. Playing a part in that, were text messages and writings by Reid, some brought out in court for the first time.

"When I turn 18 I'm going to buy every gun I've ever wanted and kill everyone I can," said Woldt, reading from a text message by Reid. "I think I might just kill my dad and get it over with. I feel the need to kill constantly."

One person who did believes Reid's story of self defense, his mother Lisa Reid, who said her ex-husband was verbally and physically abusive.

"I never expected a conviction," said Lisa Reid about her son. "When the conviction came down, I actually had clothes in my car to take him home."

She was joined by her daughter, Ellie Reid, as well as her son's attorney in asking for the minimum sentence of 20 years before parole.

"We have physical evidence of physical abuse," said Reid's attorney Kevin Musolf. "The scars on Zach's back are the consistent with the width of a belt."

The state asked for life without the chance of parole, but says it is a difficult case to sentence. That was a sentiment echoed by Judge Woldt.

"Are you a stupid kid that's not smart enough to get it?" said Woldt. "That's what I have to weigh. That's what I have to decide. Is that what you are? Or are you a monster?"

Woldt said, also part of his decision for 40 years before the possibility of parole, is it will make Zach Reid 56-years-old, about the same age as Reid's father, who was 53 when he died.

Reid's attorney says he plans to appeal the case.