A Michigan man who pleaded guilty to murdering the woman who tried to divorce him received his sentence in court.
Marcus Lofton, 44, was sentenced to 25–50 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Lofton shot his 38-year-old wife, Alicia Lofton, 15 times on August 17, 2023, the day after she served him with divorce papers. The couple had been married for only six months.
Marcus Lofton’s plea agreement came after a mistrial on the same charges, when the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision. Marcus Lofton chose not to speak during the sentencing, which was covered by local news outlet MLive.com, but remained in the courtroom to hear from those who loved the woman he killed.
Arthur Joseph, Alicia Lofton’s father, confronted Marcus Lofton after Judge Scott Noto handed down his sentence. Joseph suppressed his emotions as he stated, “I just want the world to know that this guy is a piece of garbage.” I wish I could handle this and bring justice to his a— right now.”
As previously reported by Law&Crime, Marcus Lofton’s relationship with his late wife deteriorated after he was arrested for domestic violence against her in May 2023 and barred from communicating with her. Marcus Lofton lost his cool as she prepared to file for divorce and sell the house they shared.
The day after Alicia Lofton served her husband with divorce papers, he arrived at the house to retrieve his belongings, resulting in a fight. Marcus Lofton took his wife’s Glock pistol from a drawer, and the gun went off. She rushed into a bathroom and locked the door, but he forced it open. Marcus Lofton shot her multiple times as she attempted to escape through a window. He then fled in his SUV.
Alicia Lofton’s body was discovered on the lawn outside after neighbors called 911 and police arrived on scene. Her body contained “numerous fatal gunshot wounds.” She was a mother to three grown children.
