NORWICH – On Monday Cody D. Coleman was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in Chenango County Court to killing his ex-girlfriend in 2019.

Coleman accepted a plea deal in December of 2021 to first-degree manslaughter for shooting 16-year-old Amelia Wakefield of Oxford.

Prosecutors said he shot the victim in the head with a shotgun inside a Smithville home on May 3, 2019.

In the wake of the killing the victim's family sought to raise awareness of domestic violence and founded a charity, Amelia’s Voice.

On their website the group states:

“May 3rd, 2019 we lost Amelia to a senseless act of domestic violence. Amelia was a beautiful young lady who lost her life trying to get out of an abusive relationship. Amelia's story is like so many others. If you or a loved one is in an abusive relationship or suffering from domestic violence please see our resources.”

More information can be found at ameliasvoice.com.

As part of his guilty plea Coleman will not be able to appeal.

Read more in Tuesday's Evening Sun.