LANSING — A Williamston man has been sentenced to decades in prison in a torture and domestic violence case that grew out of his wife’s suspicious death in 2021.
Christopher Palazzolo, 44, sat on the witness stand Wednesday, Sept. 3, as a parade of people gave tearful victim-impact statements, describing him as a “narcissistic psychopath,” “sick and evil person,” “pure evil with no soul,” “bastard” and “monster,” among other things.
Elise Palazzolo, his late wife, gave up her job as a research scientist in California and later dropped out of a prestigious grad school program because of Christopher, who subjected her to years of abuse, said her father, Joseph Calderon.
“This predator knew exactly what to say to her.” Calderon said, adding that he was “haunted daily” by Chris’ behavior.
Calderon and many of the other people who addressed Ingham County Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina on Wednesday described Elisa Palazzolo as a kind, warm and compassionate person who was psychologically and physically abused for years. Several asked that he get the maximum sentence.
Aquilina said Palazzolo should have been charged with homicide, instead of torture, because Elise Palazzolo died “a very slow, painful death” after years of abuse inflicted by her husband.
She sentenced Christopher Palazzolo to 40 to 80 years for torture, well above the range recommended by state sentencing guidelines. The judge said the guidelines did not adequately account for the seriousness of the crimes.
“We need to send a message that domestic violence in any form will not be tolerated,” she said.
A jury convicted Chris Palazzolo of torture and domestic violence in July following a lengthy trial. Those charges resulted from a lengthy investigation stemming from Elise Palazzolo’s death on May 7, 2021. The medical examiner said she died from an overdose of prescription drugs, but was unable to determine the manner of her death.
Numerous injuries in various stages of healing were found on her body after she died in the couple’s Williamston apartment, and Chris Palazzolo admitted to causing them. He pointed to a handwritten “waiver” or “consent” form in which she purportedly gave him permission to physically discipline her for lying.
The pathologist documented numerous injuries on Elise’s body, including contusions, scabs and scars. Some loop-shaped marks were likely caused by a metal hanger, and small, round marks were left by pellets fired from an air soft gun, according to testimony. Numerous photos of those injuries were shown to the jury.
Among other things, the “waiver” Elise purportedly wrote said the punishment could include spanking, spanking with a wooden spoon, spanking with a wire hanger, cutting with a knife and choking, according to testimony.
Various written accounts purportedly left by Elise Palazzolo said her husband abused her sexually, physically, mentally and emotionally. Assistant Ingham County Prosecutor Angela DelVero presented testimony about controlling or abusive behavior by Chris going back decades. Elise Palazzolo felt trapped, that she couldn’t leave the relationship without being killed or harmed, the prosecutor said.
Chris Palazzolo said the waiver was Elise’s idea and had photos of her preparing it. But DelVero questioned whether it actually was Elise’s idea.
DelVero on Wednesday said Aquilina had grounds to exceed the guidelines range. Elise Palazzolo’s death resulted from more than a decade of control, power and isolation inflicted by her husband, she said.
“Even if she did give permission (for physical punishment), he was the person who was in a position to say no,” she said.
Defense attorney Dustyn Coontz noted in a sentencing memorandum that Chris Palazzolo had long suffered from mental health and substance-abuse issues. Coontz declined to elaborate during Wednesday’s hearing and said he had advised his client not to address Aquilina before sentencing.
Chris Palazzolo will get 1,072 days credit on his sentence. He also received 93 days for domestic violence, a misdemeanor, but that sentence has already been served. The guidelines range for Palazzolo’s minimum sentence topped out at 17½ years. Aquilina said she didn’t believe Palazzolo could be rehabilitated in that time.
More than 30 friends and family members attended Wednesday’s hearing, which lasted nearly 2½ hours. Over Coontz’s objection, Aquilina ordered that Palazzolo sit on the witness stand, next to the bench. She cited courtroom safety concerns and noted that such an arrangement would allow people to address her without having to turn around to face Palazzolo. Coontz sat in a chair next to his client in the front of the courtroom.
Ten people made victim-impact statements on Wednesday, including Elise’s uncle, Rick Calderon, who described her as compassionate and kind.
“Her presence lit up the room,” he said. “To know her was to admire her. To be loved by her was a gift.”
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Judge: Sentence for man who tortured his wife sends a message about domestic violence
Reporting by Ken Palmer, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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