Ex-store manager sentenced to 144 years for triple murder

NEW CASTLE, INDIANA - A former manager of a South Bend drug store has been sentenced to 144 years in prison for the 1990 killings of three former co-workers. <br> <br> Christopher Allen, 40, of Dunwoody, Ga., was sentenced Thursday, six months after he was convicted of charges he shot assistant manager Scott Dick, 29, clerk Connie Zalewski, 43, and pharmacist Tracy Holvoet, 24, during an early morning robbery. <br> <br> Allen was fired as manager of the Osco drug store the previous March after it was discovered he had embezzled money. <br> <br> Before he was sentenced, Allen told Special Judge James Williams he was innocent and accused police officers and prosecutors of unethical and dishonest conduct. <br> <br> ``I can&#39;t offer remorse to the families for something I didn&#39;t do,&#39;&#39; Allen said. ``I offer them sympathy.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Williams gave Allen three consecutive 48-year terms for the murders. <br> <br> ``In practical terms, 144 years is a life,&#39;&#39; said Michael McAlexander, one of the special prosecutors from Allen County. ``We certainly feel that&#39;s appropriate. I think what Mr. Allen said in court was disrespectful for everyone involved in this investigation.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Allen&#39;s trial was held in eastern Indiana&#39;s Henry County because of publicity about the deaths in the South Bend area. <br> <br> He was long a suspect in the killings but was not charged until 1999. Allen&#39;s first trial on the charges in 2001 ended in a hung jury, and he plans to appeal his conviction. <br> <br> Relatives of the victims said they were satisfied with the long sentence. <br> <br> ``This is what we&#39;ve been waiting for,&#39;&#39; said Phyllis Holvoet, Tracy Holvoet&#39;s mother. ``I believe we got the right guy. No matter what he said, it will never change my mind.&#39;&#39;