Man sentenced to 74 years in prison for killing pregnant girlfriend
By Lily O’Brien
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WICHITA, Kansas (KAKE) — A Wichita man is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars after killing his pregnant girlfriend last year.
Naomi Oglesby’s family faced her killer — Matthew Criscenzo — in court as he learned his sentence: 74 years in prison.
“He got the ultimate control. He ended her life. He ended her ability to be a mother to her child. He very nearly ended her child’s life. There is nothing that is appropriate in this case, but the maximum,” argued prosecuting attorney Shannon Wilson.
A jury in February convicted Matthew Criscenzo of premeditated first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping and aggravated battery in connection with the death of 20-year-old Naomi Oglesby.
On Tuesday, Sedgwick County District Judge Jeff Goering denied a motion for downward departure and sentenced Criscenzo to 618 months to life for murder, 228 months for kidnapping, and 43 months for aggravated battery. If he’s ever granted parole on the murder conviction, he would then begin serving the 271 remaining months.
In two other cases, Judge Goering sentenced Criscenzo to 55 months for aggravated intimidation of a witness and aggravated assault. That sentence will run concurrently to the murder case.
“There’s no perfect way to say some things, but I never wanted Naomi to die, and I certainly never wanted my child. I certainly never wanted my child to be harmed,” said Criscenzo in court.
Oglesby’s family pleaded with the court to give Criscenzo the harshest punishment.
“Had the child not survived this, we wouldn’t be talking about a first-degree murder case — we would be talking about a capital murder case,” said Goering.
While doctors were able to deliver Oglesby’s baby — Zy’nia– at 37 weeks, her family says the baby girl has severe brain damage and struggles to breathe or eat.
“She can’t swallow. We are about to have her first birthday party. She will not get to enjoy her birthday cake. She will most likely never eat,” said her foster mother, Jessica.
She says Zy’nia has serious conditions, including cerebral palsy, requiring constant care and medical visits.
“He not only took my sister’s life at the young age of 20, but he also permanently altered Zy’nia’s life. Naomi’s daughter will never be able to have a normal childhood or adulthood if she miraculously makes it to adulthood. He took two full, long, happy lives away from women who still had their whole lives leading a domestic violence relationship is the most deadly one. He ended one life, but altered many more,” said Naomi’s sister, Ashley Stewart.
Defense attorneys argued for a reduced sentence.
“Matthew has a learning disorder, deficits in memory processing. He’s had some mental health services, outpatient treatment. He completed his juvenile probation. He’s been a crime victim. He’s been shot and shot at,” said his defense attorney. “He is here today with substance abuse issues, which he’s trying to fight. He has mental health issues, which have led to suicidal thoughts and ideations before and since he’s been in custody, or the tragedy of Naomi’s death will only become compounded by a life sentence.”
Goering denied the request.
“Naomi was wanting to leave. Mr. Criscenzo didn’t want her to leave,” said Goering. “Had he just let her leave the house, we wouldn’t be here dealing with this tragedy today.”
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