William Zelenski at trial, June 19, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – William Zelenski was sentenced to life in prison Friday – but can ask for parole after 35 years – for the murder of a teen who stole some of his exotic pets.
Zelenski, 47, was convicted in June of first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting of Ryelee Manente-Powell on Oct. 19, 2020.
The count carries a mandatory life prison term, but Judge Raymond Huber had to decide if Zelenski would be eligible to ask for parole after a certain time, or not have that option at any point.
Before the sentence was issued, Zelenski apologized. He said Manente-Powell was loved by many, including himself. He asked for mercy and forgiveness.
“I never intended for anything like this to happen. I certainly never wanted to shoot Ryelee, and I definitely didn’t want him to die. I’m very sorry. I know the ripple effects of this are going to touch so many lives and people. And I don’t disagree with all of the wonderful things people had to say about Ryelee,” Zelenski said.
Manente-Powell’s grandmother and the mother of his child, testified about the impact of his loss.
Judge Huber said you don’t take a gun to a fist fight, but noted Zelenski seems to be true in his remorse for the shooting. In this case, neither extreme – the minimum or no parole at role – are appropriate.
“The fact that he demonstrated almost a greater desire for revenge than for his true stated belief that he wanted to get his animals back, I think to impose the minimum time for extended supervision would unduly depreciate the seriousness of his behaviors,” the judge said.
Manente-Powell’s mother, Tiffany Powell, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the sequence of events leading up to the murder, including pointing a gun at her son while he and Zelenski faced off in a Waupaca street.
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