A Jefferson County man who shot and killed his roommate in May 2020 was sentenced to serve 15 to 30 years in state prison Wednesday by Jefferson County President Judge John Foradora.
William Joseph Sivak, 65, killed Amos Leroy Smail, 60, at their residence at 732 Smail Road in Union Township, Jefferson County, on May 10, 2020.
Sivak entered a guilty plea to a charge of third-degree murder on June 30.
“After interviews and after getting corroborating information we felt this was a completely unplanned act,” Burkett added. “Everyone who investigated this case was in complete agreement with this disposition.”
Burkett said Sivak had called state police immediately after the shooting.
“He was clearly remorseful,” Burkett said.
Police were notified of the shooting when Sivak called the barracks in Punxsutawney and told the communications officer that he had “just shot a man” who was later identified as Smail.
“This was an appropriate outcome,” said Burkett.