'You are a bully and coward,' Michele Anderson told before given 6 life sentences for killing family



SEATTLE -- The woman convicted of killing six members of her family will die in prison.

After several family members and friends spoke on behalf of the victims, a judge sentenced Michele Anderson to six life sentences on Thursday.

“You are a bully and a coward,” Pam Mantle, the mother of victim Erica Anderson, told Michele in King County Superior Court.

Erica, Michele's sister-in-law, and Erica's two children were among those killed in the massacre on Christmas Eve 2007 in the Anderson home in Carnation.

“Erica knew you would shoot the kids, she begged you not to, and you did it anyway because that's how you roll,” Mantle said.

Michele Anderson showed little emotion during her sentencing, except when her sister Mary Victoria spoke.

“Look at what you have done to your life, look at what you did to your family; your brother loved you so much,” Mary Victoria said.

On Christmas Eve 2007 Michele and boyfriend Joseph McEnroe killed Michele's parents, Wayne and Judy Anderson, at their Carnation home. They hid the bodies and then waited for Michele's brother, Scott Anderson, his wife, Erica, and their children Nathan and Olivia to show up. Prosecutors say Michele masterminded the killings because she was angry over money she felt was owed her.

The convicted mass killer refused to speak before the judge announced her life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Deputy prosecutor Scott O’Toole hopes justice may help the family heal. 

“If any of us can give them some measure of justice, I think that's significant.” O’Toole said.

“The pain of losing so many family members is never going to go away,” Mantle said of her own feelings.

Mantle said she is relieved the legal case and agonizing testimony is over, but family members also worry the community will slowly forget about their loved ones.

Joseph McEnroe was convicted last year and a jury decided not to give McEnroe the death penalty; he was given six life sentences without the possibility of parole. After that decision, prosecutors announced they would not seek the death penalty against Michele Anderson.