PRINCESS ANNE — It was two years and one day after the murder of his wife LaGina Robellard and the shooting of her male friend that James M. Robellard received his sentence of life plus 40 years in prison.

On Oct. 18, Circuit Court Judge Daniel W. Powell imposed a life sentence for the first degree murder of Ms. Robellard and a second life sentence — to run concurrently — for the attempted murder of Corey Glover Sr.

Two additional 20-year consecutive sentences were added for use of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, each requiring a minimum of five years of incarceration without the possibility of parole.

All of the other charges including attempted first and second degree murder, felony assault, misdemeanor assault and reckless endangerment were merged into other charges for purposes of sentencing.

It was after a three-day trial in July that a jury convicted Mr. Robellard of 12 counts in all.

The start date for the sentence was set on the date of the shooting, Oct. 17, 2020, and Judge Powell remarked how he has found it not uncommon for sentencing to be on or near an anniversary.

He said in his 21 years as a prosecutor and judge no case has been “as heartbreaking as this one,” adding that he believed his sentence was “reasonable.”

State’s Attorney Wess Garner had asked for two life sentences while defense attorney Kat Savoy asked that a life sentence be suspended with a set number of years in prison.

“Life is an adventure,” said Robellard, 56, during his opportunity to address the court. But on the highway of life, “sometimes those roads aren’t fun.”

He talked about personal and family milestones, the meeting of his late wife when they both worked at Carvel Hall in Crisfield, and the blending of their families as they both brought children to the marriage in 1999.

“I’m not that person,” Robellard said. “Do you really see that in me?” “I had no reason to do this,” saying the evidence needs another look.

“On October 17, 2020 I lost everything as well,” family, home, job, car… “all gone.” He praised the family and friends “who stood by me and supported me.”

It was the evening of Oct. 17, 2020 when the State Police were dispatched to a residence on Cornstack Road near Marion for multiple gunshot victims. Inside the front entrance deceased was 46-year-old LaGina Robellard who was shot eight times.

James Robellard reloaded his .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun with a separate magazine. Glover, who was in another room, when hearing the commotion grabbed a shotgun. As he appeared Robellard shot Glover in the leg, and Glover returned fire striking Robellard in the abdomen but Glover was hit by another bullet in the shoulder.

Glover retreated to a bathroom and locked the door. EMS and police found Robellard on a couch holding a pillow over his wound with the handgun in close proximity.

State’s Attorney Garner said at sentencing that James Robellard “showed no remorse for what he’s done,” and at trial when shown a photo of the home and his wife’s lifeless body “he showed no emotion.”

On behalf of her mother and family, Ashley Michaels addressed the court. She told the judge about a missed call earlier that fateful night, and how that voicemail is now the only way to hear her mother say, “I love you.” She talked to her mother later in the evening by phone, saying she is the last person to speak to her.

She said sentencing was like placing a band-aid over a deep cut. It doesn’t make it hurt less “or stop the bleeding.”

Michaels said she lost not just a mother, but a stepfather who “raised me half of my life.” “I don’t know who that is,” referring to James Robellard, and how he “robbed me of joy.” “What he made was a choice…there is no ‘Sorry, I’ll never do it again.’”

James Robellard’s son Nick said he knew LaGina for 21 years, and while never best friends they were “amicable” but in the last three years of his father’s relationship with her it was “in downward spiral” which the state objected to the remarks that degraded the victim.

Judge Powell said he would hear what he had to say, but making disparaging comments about the victim “is not helping the cause.”

Nick Robellard said the family could not afford more than the public defender and claimed only three weeks was put into setting up a defense, but he is “still fighting” for his father. He said he wanted a more thorough look into phone records as “not enough was proven to me.”

Defense attorney Savoy said by all accounts the Robellards were “a couple in love” as shown through photos of them at a family wedding just days before the murder. She said after two years Robellard no longer uses a walker, but his wound is not yet healed and continues to struggle with his health. Assisting her at trial was Arch McFadden.

Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Tawes assisted with the prosecution. Credited for their work as well were  members of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and specifically Sergeant Scott Sears.

Due to the length of the sentence Judge Powell waived costs. He also advised Robellard of his post-trial rights but noted that his sentence if appealed to a three-judge panel could be lengthened as he did not receive the maximum allowed by law.