Man gets 117 years for couple's murder

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (AP) — A Jefferson County man convicted of killing a Quilcene couple in 2009 was sentenced in Kitsap Superior Court to 117 years in prison.

The Kitsap Sun reports that Friday's sentence was the same one 39-year-old Michael John Pierce received at the end of his first trial. That one was overturned on appeal.

Judge Sally Olsen said Pierce's attempt to cover up the crime by burning down the house of Pat and Janice Yarr was ruthless. She says Pierce deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison.

The Yarrs were high school sweethearts and were well-known for their generosity. Family members said Pat Yarr had given Pierce odd jobs around their house to help him out.

Pierce was convicted of shooting the couple and setting their house on fire. Security footage showed him using their ATM card shortly after their deaths.