Jean Pierre Orlewicz

18-year-old high school senior Jean Pierre Orlewicz was arrested on November 12, 2007, and charged with the November 7 murder and decapitation of Daniel Sorensen, 26, in the Detroit suburb of Canton, Michigan. Sorensen's torso was found on the side of a road. His hands and feet had been burned with a blowtorch and his head was found nearly 15 miles away. He had been stabbed 12 times.

Orlewicz was charged with premeditated murder, felony murder, and mutilation of a corpse. Prosecutors referred to the case as a "thrill" killing, due to its gruesomeness and the apparent lack of serious motive.

Convicted

Orlewicz was found guilty of all counts on April 16, 2008. Due to being charged with first-degree murder, Orlewicz faces mandatory life imprisonment. He will be sentenced on May 12, 2008.

Sentence

Orlewicz was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and an additional 10 years for mutilation of a corpse. Judge Annette J. Berry handed down the sentence and said to Orlewicz: "I'm grateful you are going away for the rest of your life because, in my view, I believe you would have killed again."

The Victim

Daniel Sorensen was a registered sex offender due to a misdemeanor criminal sexual conduct charge he received at age 17, but police say that his past had nothing to do with his killing. He allegedly owed Orlewicz a sum of money, and was in possession of Orlewicz's gun.

Co-Defendent

18-year-old Alexander Letkemann was also charged, but plead guilty to second-degree murder to avoid a first-degree murder conviction. In court testimony on April 9, Letkemann claimed that while he witnessed the murder, he only helped clean up afterwards, and had no part in the killing.

Sentenced

On Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Letkemann was sentenced to 20-30 years in prison for his involvement in the murder.

Fast Facts

1. Sorensen was murdered in Orlewicz's grandfather's garage
2. The duo reportedly invited Sorensen to the house, and then stabbed him to death with a kitchen knife
3. Orlewicz claimed self-defense
4. The trial lasted 7 days

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