John Reed sentenced to life in prison for murdering Oso neighbors

John Reed has been sentenced to life in prison for 2016 murders of his two Oso neighbors.

RELATED: Oso murder suspect captured in Mexico

Reed said in May that he killed his neighbors Monique Patenaude and Patrick Shunn in self defense when they confronted him, armed and intoxicated on his property. Prosecutors argued otherwise, saying that Reed executed his neighbors after a long feud over property rights. His trial lasted through May. Reed was found guilty of aggravated first degree murder. On Friday, he was sentenced to life in prison in Snohomish County Superior Court.

Judge Bruce Weiss said that Reed showed “absolutely no remorse” for the killings, according to KIRO 7. He called him a “cold blooded killer.”

Before the sentencing, Patenaude’s sister testified. She said that after the tragic Oso mudslide, the first thing that Patenaude and Shunn did was check on Reed at his house to make sure he was OK. A few years later, he killed them.

Shunn’s uncle also testified about Reed’s sentencing Friday, saying “he needs to rot in hell!” Shunn’s uncle held up a container with his nephew’s ashes and said “This is all I have left.”

Oso murders

When Reed testified in May, he said that after the Oso mudslide he had to access his property via a special “right of entry” permit. He used his neighbor’s driveway to access the property on April 11, 2016. Reed claims his neighbors were intoxicated and unhappy that he used their driveway. They confronted him at his house with guns and a fight ensured. Reed claims he wrestled a gun away from Shunn and shot both his neighbors.

Prosecutors countered Reed’s self-defense story. They argued that Reed executed Patenaude and Shunn. The neighbors had an ongoing feud over the property. Prosecutors said that Reed was squatting on his former land.

After the incident, Reed’s brother Tony helped him hide the bodies near a remote logging road. The two fled the area, getting help from their parents. Tony eventually turned himself into authorities. He was initially charged with the murders, too. But he entered into a plea deal and faced charges for rendering criminal assistance, helping his brother escape the law.

Tony helped police find the bodies of the two neighbors. He testified for the prosecution in his brother’s trial. He also alleged that his brother used the gun in self-defense.

After Tony turned himself in to police, Reed fled to Mexico. After more than two months on the run, Reed was captured and turned over to police in Arizona.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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