Woman who killed grandson loses appeal bid

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP (AP) - A 77-year-old Oakland County woman who killed her grandson has failed to persuade the Michigan Supreme Court to take an appeal.

The court rejected Sandra Layne's request in an order released last Friday.

She is serving a 22-year prison sentence for second-degree murder for shooting Jonathan Hoffman in 2012. The 17-year-old was living with his grandparents in West Bloomfield Township.

Layne said she felt overwhelmed by the teen's troubles, including drug use, and shot him in self-defense. She fired 10 shots, striking Hoffman six times during an argument.

Jurors were troubled that Layne had left Hoffman bleeding but returned with more gunfire. Shots could be heard on a recording of Hoffman's 911 call for help.

Layne was 74 at the time.

Published: Tue, Jun 02, 2015