Man who ratchet-strapped woman into well after rifle headshot learns his fate after girlfriend turned on him

A West Virginia antheral who murdered a pistillate and dumped her assemblage successful a well has been sentenced to beingness successful prison.

Michael Wayne Smith, 46, was convicted successful October 2025 of murdering 35-year-old Cheyenne Johnson, and connected Tuesday, helium learned his fate. During a sentencing hearing covered by section ABC/Fox affiliate WCHS, a justice sentenced Michael Smith to beingness successful situation with the anticipation of parole successful 15 years arsenic a repeat offender. On apical of that, helium was sentenced to 40 years for second-degree execution arsenic good arsenic shorter sentences for concealing a body, amerciable possession of a firearm, and assault.

Michael Smith was convicted aft his erstwhile girlfriend, 33-year-old Virginia Smith, to whom helium is not related, testified against him aft pleading blameworthy to first-degree murder, concealment of a dormant body, and usage of a firearm during the committee of a felony. She was sentenced successful December 2025 to beingness successful situation with mercy.

As Law&Crime antecedently reported, Johnson was fatally changeable with a firearm by Virginia Smith connected April 29, 2021, aft she said Michael Smith ordered her to bash so. Michael Smith and Virginia Smith had a verbal altercation with Johnson that time implicit an accusation that Johnson stole Virginia Smith's car. The 2 women had a carnal fight, and Johnson purportedly had a knife.

After Michael Smith threatened Johnson with a rifle, helium ordered Virginia Smith to sprout Johnson, which she did. A juvenile witnesser testified to seeing Virginia Smith sprout Johnson. Michael Smith past disposed of her assemblage successful a heavy h2o good connected Virginia Smith's spot utilizing a loop and ratchet straps.

More from Law&Crime: Man accused of ratchet-strapping pistillate into good aft firearm headshot mightiness beryllium successful heavy himself aft woman turns connected him

Johnson's assemblage was recovered days later, aft she was reported missing. It was Virginia Smith who had contacted authorities astir Johnson's whereabouts.

Michael Smith was primitively charged with first-degree murder, but was convicted of second-degree execution aft Virginia Smith admitted to being the 1 who changeable Johnson.

During his sentencing hearing, Johnson's member called Michael Smith a "waste of quality flesh" arsenic helium work a connection connected behalf of himself and Johnson's father. One of Johnson's friends said Michael Smith was a "hollow ammunition of a man."