36 to life for Mack the knife

A fitting sentence for an unfit human.

36 year for self defence??? wow. 20 max would have been good enough.

poor families and poor darren

I LOVE the title "Mack the knife" !!!! That's the best !!!!

After watching the court hearing today, and the divorce hearing with the Macks, EVERYBODY is a liar, but NOT Darren. He's just the poor victim. NOT!!! I'm so glad he will NEVER be able to walk the streets again.

He really thinks he is something. He tried to control everything and everybody. He is just a liar, plain and simple. Again, I'm soooo glad for Charla's family, that he will be behind bars till he dies. He is a pig, and he makes me sick.

Darren Mack deserves prison just for his obnoxious, arrogant attitude...he'll be 82 years old before even a chance to get released – NO WOMAN will want him then! I think he should have received the death penalty.

On another topic, I believe there should be a time limit on impact statements; it was painful to listen to Charla's mother; however, she did not have to read a novel to express her grief.

This guy actually looks a little like OJ! Maybe it's just the smirk...

WELL HE CERTAINLY GOT A LOT LESS THAN I THOUGHT HE WOULD! LET'S HOPE HE SERVES ALL OF THEM. WHY DOES IT SEEM THAT MEN WHO MURDER THEIR WIVES ARE ALL SO SMUG?

36 to life looks good on Darren Mack, so does the orange threads. Anyone who can sit and grin during the intense impact statements as he did deserves the max. I hope he enjoyed the ice water at his table in court, no such luxury in his new accomodations. Justice has been served in this case.

JR Westbank,BC

I am glad Mack will be 82 years old before he can be released. What he did was beyond comprehension and the most despicable part is that he still thinks what he did was alright. Absolutely evil, is what he is.

I only wish I could have seen this decision live!!!

I watched the whole morning waiting to see what this creep would get as a sentence and sure enough at 2:00 pm Central time it went off the air.

I really miss the good old days of CourtTV when court coverage when on through the whole afternoon.

I now turn off TruTV at 2:00 pm.

THAT's ALL???

Though, not surprised, I am glad to hear that Judge Herndon gave Mack the maximum sentence for the attempted murder of Judge Weller. I only wish that he had granted Mack a retraction on his plea deal so that we and the jury could have seen and heard Mack bury himself on the stand. From what we saw of his testimony at his sentencing hearing it is obvious he is a control freak of the worst kind, with so much rage just underneath the surface. When the prosecution was allowed to cross examine I thought his head would explode before our eyes. It was all he could do not to jump over that box and beat Lali to death with his bare hands. Though, it would have been horrible to put their daughter Erika and Charlas' family through the trial(not to mention taxpayer dollars) It would have gotten him life without ever having the chance to be a free man or the death penalty. He would probably be one of those psychopath, control freaks like Ted Bundy that would fire his attorneys and represent himself. Now that would have been some good TV! Let's just see how well he handles having no control while in the hands of hardened criminals and the authorities at the state pen! Bye-Bye Darren Mack!

Dear Jean,

My husband, Bill, has just had to leave his job on disability, and I thought I would be able to get him out of the house to do things, but that won't happen. He is hooked on Court TV, and watched the Darren Mack sentencing, and I hear him in the TV room talking to the TV, and to you on the TV about the trial. It must be so hard to sit there and be objective enought to be able to write the pieces that you did on the internet. He, Darren Mack, appeared to arrogant and smirky. My husband, Bill could not believe the string of people that got up to speak. I told him that is the way it is. I hope he never gets out. He shows no remorse. How rude he is, talking to his attorney all the time while people are on the stand. Why doesn't he get a pen and write notes like most people!

He is also very much interested in the Mark Jensen trial you have been reporting on, and looks forward to that continuing when the weather gets better.

Did you know Darren Mack when you used to live and were a reporter there? I wondered if that is why he did an interview with you. Was that difficult for you? We enjoy your trial coverage, and hope maybe you will be down in Ft. Myers, FL to cover the murder trial March. (Fred Cooper I think)

I'm sorry that Mack didn't get death. Mack is as bad as O.J. His "defense," that blames his dead wife that he almost decapitated, is disgusting. He also blames the judge he tried to assassinate by shooting him through a window. Then this coward runs to Mexico to avoid facing the music for his OWN actions. Typical coward and control freak. It's sad to hear murders blame the victims. I hope Mack dies in prison and never sees the light of day again. He took a life in a brutal, horrific way and almost another. Please, don't waste anymore time covering this whining, vicious killer. I hope his 10 year old daughter can recover from the damage he has done to her, as well as so many other people.

I hope that Mack dies in prison. Just listening to Charla in court and in song brought tears to my eyes and a heavy heart for the family that she left behind. I don't think they should ever let him out.

DARREN MACK RECEIVED JUST WHAT HE DESERVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HIS DAUGHTER NOT ONLY LOST HER MOTHER,SHE LOST HER DAD AS WELL.

Good! I think he deserves to die the same way he killed his wife. But, since that wont happen I hope he spends the rest of his life behind bars!!

It appears he did not get a stiff enough sentence. He is arrogant and deserves life with no possiblity of parole. I saw his lips moving and wondering when he was finally going to speak the truth. Didn't appear to happen.

Thank Goodness, he will be quiet for years and years and years. He tried to shake it all off like something that did not happen, I am glad he got what he deserved, even if it is life plus, he will have a long time to think about it.

He should be put to death!

Justice for Charla.

Darren Mack got what he deserved!! i only hope his daughter can forgive him. I hope she's doing ok !!

This guy Darren Mack should be locked up for the rest of his life. At the sentencing phase of this trial I watched him as his mother was saying how wonderful of a son he has been and he had such a proud smurk on his face I really don't think he has the capability to even comprehend that he took a precious human life.What has this world turned into with this type of murderous behavior becoming the answer so often in these marital issues.He showed no feelings at all toward his ex-wife even when the song was played.He is a cold,self centered character who should have to rot in prison.My heart goes out to Charla's family,I could feel their pain.

i still don't get it.
these killers get "life"....... the dead people get "dead" and never come back,
how is it justice for the dead? they sure don't get a chance for "parole"

The song that Charla Mack sang to her husband was poignant and hauntingly beautiful. Having heard it following Soorya's victim statement, and before Mack's sentencing, had quite an impact on me and the DA as well. It spoke volumes about who she was and what she wanted out of her relationship with Darren. That song is a tribute to all women who have been or are in abusive relationships and try to protect themselves. If the Townley family would allow it to be released to radio stations it would benefit many. The money it would raise could go to pay for Charla and Darrin's daughter's living and education expenses...I hope the family considers it.

The judge was to easy on him. He would be sitting in an electric chair now if I was the judge.

I cant believe that this guy (who is about 6 foot at least and propably over 200 pounds) had the nerve to stand in court and say that it was self defense. Charla was a wee little thing like 5 foot and and didnt weigt more then 110. If he is afraid of her, what is he going to do to "BIG BUBBA" in prison when they find out what he did, and they will find out.

Then when I saw him on the stand acting like he was crying OH PLEASE!!!!! Did he actually think that someone was going to feel sorry for him. I sure dont. I hope "BUBBA" gets ahold of him quick.

I have watched this from the begining, the day he killed his soon to be ex wife, mother of his daughter and the day he attempted to kill the Judge. This man got away with so much that even this sentence is light. I know it is the max that he can recieve but he has destroyed his family, the Justice system, the parents, family and friends of Charla, all of his children and truly the town of Reno.

When he was on the stand speaking, you could see that 'he has no fault', remorse or feeling for any of the above. Only himself. He reminds me so much of Scott Peterson (another trial and event that we all watched so closely). He sat on that stand and claimed to care so much for his children. Nope... if he did, he would have been a man or just human and taken things to the next level rather than murder and attempted murder. In my opinion, even suicide would have even been better.... and I don't condone that either.

Sorry about the rant... but wow!!!

I don't condone Mr. Mack's actions but I have sympathy for him. He was a victim of the family court system as most men are. Men are treated as "walking wallets" when it comes to divorce cases. I too was victimized by a family court judge and although I also had thoughts of shooting the judge, I had the common sense to realize that was not an option. Mr. Mack was a person who could not control his emotions.

I am glad he got life, But life is to good for him. Death would become him. Life is more then he gave his wife.

The punishment that Mack got was still too good. He should have been shot just like he did the Family Court Judge and then stabbed like he did his soon to be ex-wife. There are no winners in this case. Now a child has no mother and no father. This child will be in therapy for the rest of her life.

They should bring back in every state hangings on the town square and then there would be less crime. It is a waste of taxs payers money to feed and cloth and house Mack.

Thanks,
Phyllis Law
Bloomington / Normal illinois

Well you can say he got what he deserved. Maybe this will be a lesson to those who try to take out their spouses to try to get away from having to pay any money. Just pay and be done with it. Is it worth going to prison . I think not.....................

Took a life... shot a judge...36yrs?? what happened to death penalty, some case are clear cut and require it.

what a piece of work this guy is. EVERYTHING including his murdering his wife is somebody elses fault.

this man is a sociopath he lies about everything and just like scott peterson expects everyone to believe him because it came out of HIS mouth. he has no remorse for what he has done and is still going on with the she made me do it routine and how unjust it is to poor pitiful him, the real victim in this case.

he blew it when he went and hunted down the judge and shot him and then made his grand escape. plus there is the obvious overkill from when he murdered his wife. you don't almost cut someones head off in a self defence situation.

he should never get out and he should never be seen interviewed on television again.

frankly i don't know how jean casarez managed to get through the interview. all i could feel was revulsion listening to him. she is a great reporter and i am a big fan of hers.

good

This guy is a pathological liar. He claims he killed his ex-wife in self-defense – which was such a traumatic experience for him, that he had to recover by going right out and shooting a judge!

I can't believe they let that guy get up on that stand for 3 hours! Yeah, self-defense always involves stabbing someone seven times.
He's obviously a sociopath. My heart breaks for the family of the victim, including her daughter. Did Mack ever once think of his own daughter? What a piece of crap.

Maybe Mr. Mack will learn in prison that the world doesn't revolve around him. Maybe being treated like a number and having to live in fear, the way his wife did, really will be the best punishment for him.

if we would enforce the death penalty it would make people think twice about what they are doing. that way instead of people getting away with it they will get what they deserve.

For Mack the core reason appears to be money. He didn't want his wife Charla or their daughter to have the financial assistance the court ordered. All about money....very creepy. Mack won't be walking the streets again, and Macks relatives shouldn't have custody of the child who's being taken care of by Charla's family. That family fostered the concepts that led Mack to do what he did, he almost cut her head off.

I find it interesting that poeple who know little or nothing about this case feel qualified to pass judgement on this man. These people seem to find their perception of his behavior more apalling than his crime. Maybe they have forgotten that in America the accused are entitled to present any type of defense; however absurd, they choose.

I THINK HE DESERVES EVERY BIT OF TIME THAT HE'S GOING TO RECEIVE .

gabe...he CLAIMED self defense...that doesnt mean it was in self defense. You dont almost sever someone's head in self defense. He then went and tried to kill the judge....poor guy?! cmon

Mr. Mack good luck and best wishes.

I couldn't help but see where Darren Mack got so much of his rage after listening to his mother during the victim impact statements. God forbid she has anything to do with raising his daughter!

Charla's father and the judge's assistant hit the nail on the head in their statements; all this damage was done because Darren didn't get his way and it was everyone else's fault. The video of the divorce proceedings contradicted everything Darren said and showed his intent to control everyone and everything.

Hopefully when he comes up for parole it will still be necessary (as it is now) to admit what he did, not blame it on the victim, and show remorse, because he will never be able to do that and, therefore, will be locked up for the rest of his life. GOOD.

Prayers for Charla's daughter and family.

Finally, Washoe County's long national nightmare is over. As a member of the defense bar in Washoe County, it is unbelievable how Mack has gotten away with defaming Scott Freeman. It is also infuriating to go to the jail and wonder whether you are going to be able to see your client because Mack and his attorney are talking to a Court TV reporter and occupying the interview room you need to use. Excuse me, but some of us have real work to do. I was in the courthouse the day that Judge Weller was shot and I will never forget how scary that day was. The deputies did an outstanding job protecting everyone and making sure all of us got out safely. Hopefully Mack will just go to prison now and fade into oblivion.

I see Darren Mack as the same kind of sociopath Scott Petersen was – appears normal on the outside, but very sick on the inside. I'm sure his family has catered to Darren enabling him to continue his narcissistic behavior. You can see that if things don't go his way, he will do ANYTHING to get his sick way. Just listening to him speak should give everyone a clue how he twists things in his favor as if HE is the victim.

I hope Charla's family will be able to give Charla's daughter a normal life free of the arrogant ramblings of Darren Mack.

Why didn't he get more time? I would think taking a potshot at a judge is automatic life sentence.

I think that the possiblity of Darren Mack getting out in 36 years is horrific....he needs to spend the rest of his life in jail. I hope that he never gets parole.

I believe his sentence was too "light", should have received life, but the earlier postings about the death penalty deterring crime is completely wrong. Do some research! There is no definitive evidence that shows criminals will "think twice" about commiting murder because of fear of the death penalty. Spending the rest of his life in prison is justice, death is just revenge.

U.S. Family law is pathetically outdated and is extremely biased against fathers. Should be mandated joint equal 50/50 custody unless criminal behaviour has been proven. Should be a flat tax that maxes out at $500/month per child until age 18 if severe income disparity between partners exists – reported as taxable income by recipient, not provider. Zero mandated legal support past age 18, unless offspring is handicapped and requires institutional care. Would save many lives, preserve many careers, save taypayers billions, make it more difficult for women to use offspring to torture ex-partners, and put divorce lawyers back into the lower middle class where they belong.

I believe he should have been given life without any chance of parole. Something is wrong with our system when a "bank robber and a "murderer" get the same sentence. He is a cold blooded person and should be left in prison to be dealt with.

Usualy I am aginst harsh punishment, but after reading about this guy,I say he got what he desreves.My condolences to the family of the victim.

I think the only thing better than what they gave him would have been if he had to serve it with his mouth tied shut. God knows that man loves to hear his own voice. It is just a shame he never tells the truth!

I'm glad he got the maximum but the Court should also force Darren's parents to help pay for Erika's support. They have money - but Darren told his mother NOT to help financially. What kind of grandparent could Mrs. Mack be, to deprive her granddaughter of a decent life - maybe the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.
The 2nd biggest victim in all this is Erika......

I watched the victim impact statements all day, anxiously waiting for the verdict, and alas, at 3:00 p.m. Court Tv was finished. I just looked at the verdict today on the internet, and was delighted with the sentence, although I don't know which prison he will serve it in. (hope it is the one that was the furthest away)I also miss the afternoons of Court Tv, and am disappointed when it finishes at 3:00.

I just hope that the families involved listen and heard what the Judge had to say about putting this little girl's needs before their own. Because her father sure didn't, he took her mother away from her, and for that he could die in prison for all I care.
And then to attempt to go and kill a judge, no matter how mad he was at him, is beyond my comprehension how someone could do that.
He got what he deserved and I hope he gets more of it in prison.

Mack fired one sniper shot, from a distance the length of three football fields, and the bullet smashed through double-paned glass, hitting Weller, a family court judge, squarely in the chest ??? ... The court should have sentenced him to permanent Army duty in Afghanistan sniping the enemies of israel.

Darren Mack got what he deserved. We deserve to see court cases through to the end. Please go back to showing live court till 5 pm eastern. If not just take it off the air and be done with it.

Pshht! Child pornographers get more time than that.

Cutting off coverage of the hearing just before the judge was to sentence Mack was inexcusable!

Darren Mack is a cold hearted killer and deserves no mercy. He should never get out of prison for what he has done.

My wife and I are very sorry that live court coverage ends at 3:00 PM. We have missed so many things since your program change. Now, our TV is turned off
at 3:00 PM.

He looks like he's doing a Robert De Niro impression. Something out of "Good fellas" maybe.

man i think that 20 years was not enough

dude, he lookd like the guy off of scarface...

Gabe,

How is this self-defense? Maybe you should check the definition again before you use the word. Self-defense is where your life is in danger, not where you go crazy and kill two innocent people because you cannot control their lives.

you really think he should have only gotten 20 years? he shot a flipping judge!

Mack stabbed his wife, nearly severing her head, on June 12, 2006, and then went on to the courthouse here, where he fired one sniper shot, from a distance the length of three football fields.

to gabe: how do you call shooting someone from 3 football fields away self defense?

The sentence was part of a plea deal Mack struck when he pleaded guilty last year to his wife’s murder.

Regardless, however, he pled guilty to murder, not manslaughter which is generally the charge under which self-defense pleas get indicted.

So, Mr. Mack lost his temper! He felt he was justifiable for what he did. Now he is worried about his daughter who, will not have her mother and now her father.

I feel no remorse for him. Another Domestic Violence Victim. When is it going to stop.

This in-session coverage of the sentencing phase for this guy was really quite interesting. His arrogance was astounding. I was listening it to all morning while grading papers. What was upsetting was just a 3:00 pm eastern time while awaiting for the judge to return, the coverage ceased. And it was a Friday! I had to go online here Monday to see what the sentencing was.

There was another posting herein lamenting the fact that trial coverage now ends at 3:00 (eastern time) rather than at least 4:00. It was wonderful to be able to watch the coverage up to 5:00 pm then continue with Catherine Crier who, if necessary, would often interrupt her show to continue coverage or discussion, if pertinent. The new shows that come on at 3:00 and beyond are really mindless and prompt an immediate change of channel or t.v. off. I still question why the abbreviated coverage during daytime. Isn't court coverage your "core business"?

I just watched the interview with Mack's son and felt that he has been taught by the father not to take responsibility for his actions. He continually blamed the wife for the actions that were taken. It is sad that he does not see that his father was at fault for her death, and that actions must have consequensses.

Darren Mack and his mother-–the apple doestn't fall too far from the tree.

Listening to his lawyer and brother talk to Jack Ford, I get the feeling that the fantasy world Darren Mack lives in has a magnetic quality to it. They both sound as crazy as he obviously wants us to believe he was at the time of his crimes.

I think Darren Mack had some serious issues and was rightfully sentenced. I also think his new lawyer has issues and argues just as Darren Mack did.

I think anyone who commits murder should get life in prison without parole. But adding on a different sentence is perfectly fine. Just as long as he cannot get out of prison to harm anyone else.

Looks like Mr. Mack has found an attorney as crazy as he is.

Does anyone know if the song Charla sang is on the web and where it might be? I hope record producers are smart enough to get it to air. Peace, Skyz

I live in Reno and I am so glad this is finally over.

For those of you out there who wish Mr. Mack had received the death penalty you need to understand the reason why he didn't. He fled to Mexico and couldn't be extradited back to the U.S. if the death penalty was on the table. If you think about it, a quick injection in the arm really would have been too good for him. Having to tow the line in prison for the remainder of his life is really such a better deal. At the Washoe County Jail he was receiving special treatment, i.e., special food from the cafeteria, and no such treatment will exist where he's going.

Yes, this was a terrible tragedy and the lives of all the cast of players will be changed forever. However, the press needs to stop covering Mr. Mack right now. The whole family thrives on attention. They always have and always will. The "Father of the Year" billboard depicting Mack that his family paid for several years ago was a total joke. The person to interview at this point would be Mr. Mack's first wife. You hear so much about Mack's son, Jory, and Mack's 10 year old daughter, Erika, but nothing has been mentioned about his 16-17 year old daughter. I highly suspect that while she's basically "lost" her father, she wants nothing more to do with him. We need to call this what it is – a vicious, premeditated murder and stop giving so much media time to Mack and his family.

Its a shame he only received 36 years to life! Im hoping for the life part, it is great to see him put in his place, I found him to be a self centered egotisical bleep. I really wish I could have seen the televised sentencing, it would have given me great pleasure to Watch Mack the Knife get cut down to life!

I have read this case inside and out, and really Judge Weller was very fair to Darren. He simply didn't understand that he was responsible to pay the bills at the home until it sold and pay his wife child support . He on the other hand was lucky to see his child as much as he did considering his deviant lifestyle. If I were Charla I would have tried very hard to get supervised visitation because he was a very sick man and had women comming and going. His own lawyer advised him to stop engageing in that lifestyle if he wanted to pursue custody, and of course he ignored it. Truly a pschopath, and a man who refused to understand when you marry and have a child you will be tied to both forever ,and thus accountable. One always wonders why do these nuts get married and have children in the first place??