Hartley sentenced to prison

Jennifer Jean Hartley, 43, of Thayer was sentenced to up to 47 years in prison in her sentencing hearing Thursday at the Union County courthouse.

Hartley pleaded guilty to seven various charges to avoid a first-degree murder charge.

The sentences of the seven charges will run consecutively on suggestion of the state.

The charges stem from Hartley’s involvement in the murders of Loretta Dillinger and Michael Robinson, as well as an arson charge and subsequent fraudulent insurance claim charge.

Union County Attorney Tim Kenyon was satisfied with the judge’s final decision.

“The state’s feeling is that the sentence was appropriate and, really, the court laid out the entire circumstance,” said Kenyon. “This was not merely one event. This was a series of events, which ultimately culminated in (Loretta’s) death.”

The series of events dates back to about September 22, 2015, when, according to court documents, Jerry Ray Dillinger shot and killed Loretta and Michael Robinson.

The state argued that a murder may not have occurred if Hartley did not provide Jerry with a weapon. Jerry was a convicted criminal; therefore, he could not legally purchase a firearm. According to court documents, Hartley provided Jerry with her pistol knowing his intent to kill.

The judge addressed Hartley’s version of the acts of the crime and showed little compassion for her story.

“Quite honestly, when I began reading your version of the facts, I became somewhat confused because it read as a victim impact statement,” said Judge Randy Hefner. “Ma’am, you are not a victim of these crimes; you are a perpetrator of these crimes. You’re a person that could have prevented these deaths. To cast yourself as a victim demonstrates complete lack of remorse.”

Hartley’s plea agreement was reached in March at a pretrial meeting.

“So, at this point with the plea agreement, it’s a fair resolution and we are going to go forward from there,” said Kenyon. “After all the appeal times have passed, only then, will the actual underlying first-degree murder charge be dismissed.”

Victim impact advocate Lynn Cornelius read Loretta Dillinger’s victim impact statements written by her children at the beginning of the sentencing.

Loretta’s three children, Natasha, Justin and Jeremiah Dillinger, each wrote a victim’s impact statement.

“Loretta Dillinger and I could have had a blast for a long time. But, no,” read Natasha Dillinger’s statement. “Jerry Dillinger and Jennifer Hartley took her from me. Took her from my heart.”

Charges

The charges were sentenced as follows: guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, which carries a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of up to 10 years.

Guilty of conspiracy to commit arson carrying a maximum sentence of up to five years.

Guilty of second-degree arson carrying a maximum sentence of up to 10 years.

Guilty of first-degree fraudulent practice carrying a maximum sentence of up to 10 years.

Guilty of two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon carrying a maximum sentence of up to five years for each count.

Guilty of accessory after a felony carrying a maximum sentence of up to two years.

All seven sentences will run consecutively resulting in the final tally of up to 47 years in prison.