Calling his actions "senseless, brutal and heinous," a Washington County judge yesterday sentenced convicted murderer Gerald Szakal to two life terms in prison for killing the retired police chief of Carroll and his wife.

Washington County President Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca also sentenced Mr. Szakal to an additional 20 to 40 years for robbery, theft and other convictions.

Mr. Szakal, 26, of Rostraver, was found guilty earlier this month of two counts of second-degree murder, robbery, theft, and other crimes related to the March 4, 2008 shooting deaths of Howard and Nancy Springer.

"Because of you ... two very fine, innocent contributors to society were snuffed out," Judge O'Dell Seneca told Mr. Szakal before sentencing him.

Although Mr. Szakal was found not guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit homicide, Judge O'Dell Seneca said she had no doubt that Mr. Szakal knew "it was conceivable that someone could get hurt or killed," during a robbery gone awry at the Springers' Carroll residence.

Mr. Szakal was accused of murdering the Springers to keep his mother from finding out that he stole jewelry and coins from her house and sold some of the items to the Springers.

The Springers operated a precious metals business out of their home, where they were found shot to death by their daughter on the evening of March 5, 2008.

Records show Mr. Szakal collected $1,051 for selling dozens of pieces of gold jewelry, including his stepfather's wedding band, during eight visits to the Springers' residence from Jan. 7, 2008, to Feb. 20, 2008.

Mr. Szakal testified that he became addicted to prescription painkillers after a foot injury and said he sold the items to the Springers mostly for drug money.

He also testified that he became friendly with the couple, who loaned him hundreds of dollars and had him over for dinner occasionally.

During three statements offered by family members, the Springers were described as compassionate, loving people, who went out of their way to help those in need.

"I can't find the words to explain my pain, anger and despair," said the couple's grown daughter, Jill Danish, of Peters. "My mom and dad were two of the best people I knew."

Mrs. Danish and Christine Springer, the couple's daughter-in-law, said they regretted that their newborn daughters would never be able to meet or enjoy their grandparents.

Christine Springer is married to the Springers' son, Chad, who asked that his statement be read by his wife to the court.

Chad Springer said he suffers from "night terrors" that are psychologically and physically draining.

He compared his feelings to a bad smell that he was forced to tolerate daily.

"The feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are terrible," he wrote.

Calling their dad "the proudest father that ever existed," family members expressed their desire to see Mr. Szakal punished to the maximum.

Mr. Springer was 63; his wife, Nancy, a retired Ringgold school teacher, was 65.

Though she and other family members did not directly address Mr. Szakal, Mrs. Springer's sister, Sally Kevich, said his actions broke their hearts and turned their lives "into nightmares."

Defense lawyer Noah Geary asked for leniency for his client, saying Mr. Szakal expressed remorse during his testimony. Mr. Szakal did not speak or show emotion when he was sentenced.

Mr. Geary continued to point toward a co-defendant, Tecko Tartt, as the probable triggerman in the case. He was sentenced earlier this week to 71/2 to 15 years in prison for supplying the gun used to kill the couple. Two other co-defendants who also cooperated with prosecutors were sentenced.

"There are things about this case that are still a little troubling to me," said Mr. Geary, who said he would appeal the case.

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