Devon Man Gets Life In State Prison In 2019 Murder Of His Ex-Wife

RADNOR, PA —A 38-year-old Devon man was sentenced Thursday to life in state prison for the 2019 fatal shooting of his ex-wife, Stephanie Miller, at Wawa on Old Sugartown Road in Radnor Township.

Brian Kennedy was sentenced by Delaware County Judge Richard Cappelli to a mandatory sentence as required by law for first-degree murder.

The judge called the murder “a senseless act,” creating a lifelong tragedy for his family and others, according to a report by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Miller, 37, an occupational therapist, died of a gunshot wound to the torso, according to medical authorities.

During the sentencing, Miller’s family members described Miller as a loving mother who was taken away from her son when he was he was 10 years old.

Friends described the victim on a GoFundMe page as “a proud occupational therapist; helping the elderly as well as children with special needs."

"Our loss cannot be stated in words, but she will be remembered for the lives she changed for the better,” a friend was quoted.

Kennedy said during the sentencing hearing that he was not in the right state of mind when he shot Miller and that he regrets what he had done.

Kennedy’s lawyer, Michael Dugan of Media, conceded during the trial in January that Kennedy caused the death of Miller but argued it was not first-degree murder.

Dugan argued that the killing was in the heat of passion, noting Kennedy was struggling with mental illness.

According to court records, Kennedy and Miller divorced in 2013.

Assistant District Attorney Matt DeNucci T said during the trial that Miller felt safe picking up her son at the Wawa because it was a public place.

Surveillance video showed Kennedy walking into the convenience store with an AR-15 and opening fire, shooting Miller in the head and chest.

Witnesses said Kennedy purchased an AR-15 from a store in King of Prussia 12 days before the fatal shooting.

The Wawa employees identified Kennedy as the shooter. Kennedy was arrested several hours later in Thornbury Park.