Gary Reen sentenced to maximum of 72 years for murder of his wife

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Gary Reen was sentenced in Isabella County Circuit Court to a maximum of 72 years in prison today for the second-degree murder of his wife, Cheryl Reen.

Reen pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife that took place April 1. Because he pleaded guilty, Reen gave up his right to a jury trial.

Reen was sentenced to two years for felony firearm possession and a minimum of 48 years to a maximum of 72 years for second-degree murder. The request for a lower sentence of 36 years by Reen’s attorney, Gordon Bloem, was denied.

“It’s sickening the number of domestic violence cases I’ve seen over the years,” said Judge Mark Duthie. “Life is a precious gift and should end when it’s naturally taken from someone. Cheryl’s was taken for your own egocentric reasons.”

Reen, 56, was charged with open murder when he went to the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department on April 1, telling police he shot his wife.

When the police arrived to Reen’s home, 7120 East River Road in Chippewa Township, Reen’s wife was found dead on the ground in their pole barn after having been shot multiple times, according to information provided by Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick.

During court, Reen apologized for what he had done.

“I was numb with shock when I heard the news,” said Cheryl Reen’s brother, Mark Johnson, in a statement to the court. “She was taken from us by a violent act of murder done by a despicable coward. We will never forgive you for what you have done.”

Johnson said he and his family support the guilty plea so their mother will not have to go through the stress of a jury trial.

Burdick said it seems too often he has to come back to court for domestic abuse defendants.

Burdick said these cases are really about men who say to their wife or girlfriend, “If you don’t do this, you will suffer,” or, “If you leave me I will kill you.”

It’s the ultimate act of control, he said.

“It not only ends her life, it destroys many others,” Burdick said. “That’s why I ask the court for the maximum sentence.”