Dawson to spend life in prison

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Newschannel 3) - A Kent County Judge has handed down the sentence for Tim Dawson, and he will spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering his wife.

His wife, Julia Keenan Dawson went missing from her home in Sparta, in December 2004. One month later, her beaten, strangled body was found on the side of a road in Montcalm County.

Just last month, after a lengthy investigation and three-week trial, Tim Dawson was convicted of Julia's murder. That conviction carries with it a mandatory life sentence, without the chance of parole.

The emotion from early November, when Judge Redford convicted Dawson, spilled over into the sentencing today. The courtroom was full of Julia's friends and family, all present to hear the words made official.

 Judge Redford started by reading a letter to Tim Dawson, written by Julia's son Kevin. In it, he asked, "Why did you kill my mother?" Julia's daughter Brittany also asked, "Why did you lie to the family?"

After the family made their comments, Dawson himself took the mic, maintaining his innocence.

State Attorney General Mike Cox also weighed in on the sentencing this afternoon via press release, saying he hoped it would bring the family "closure," although it wouldn't bring Julia back.

Newschannel 3 caught up with Julia's mother, Tamara Keenan, after the sentencing.

"It's very emotional. I'm glad it's over," she said. "This is the end of this.  As I said in the statement we wrote, finally, we canc elebrate our wedding anniversary - November 11th - and not the day he took her life."

As for Julia's children, her youngest son Alex is now back with his older brother, which the Keenans agree would have made Julia very happy. They say they'll do their best to help both boys deal with the fact their mother is dead, and their father will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Dawson now has 42 days to appeal the sentencing.