Thursday, June 1st 2017, 2:01 pm
A Tulsa woman convicted in April of mutilating a dead body was sentenced to 16 years in prison Thursday. She will get credit for time served.
Back in April, a Tulsa County jury deliberated almost four hours before finding Shaynna Sims, 28, guilty of charges including mutilating a body, interrupting a funeral and unlawful removal of a body from a deceased person.
They said Sims had cut the face, breast and toe of Tabitha Lynch.
The sentence will be served consecutively. Sims has already served about two years.
4/21/2017 Related Story: Jury Convicts Woman Accused Of Cutting Body At Tulsa Funeral
At her trial, her attorney said Sims snapped after learning her husband had an affair with the victim.
Sims' mother, Vickey Murrah, said her daughter's behavior was caused by a reaction to medication.
"The law says if you're under the influence you should not be charged or found guilty of those crimes," Murray said. "But we'll deal with that through the legal system."
Prosecutors said Sims may have been angry and humiliated, but she took it too far.
Prosecutor Tanya Wilson said the victim's family is pleased with the sentencing and now they're ready to move on.
"It has been very painful for this mother's children that she's left behind," Wilson said. "It's been a very, very, emotional time for this family and so we're glad that they're finally getting the resolution that they deserve."
Sims asked for immediate transportation to prison admission to a drug rehab program.
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