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Courtroom #4 in the Farmington Courthouse was packed for the sentencing of Ed Owens. I sat next to a friend of the family -- Karin Strom babysat her kids. DNA evidence helped a jury find Owens guilty in April for Karin's murder in 1980, but he always maintained his innocence -- until now. He was in suit for his trial, but wore a jail jumpsuit this time -- shackled as he shuffled in. We thought it was going to be over quickly, until he asked to say something. Then he confessed. As he calmly talked about a murder-for-hire plot involving Karin's husand Steve, jaws dropped. When he said he went to warn Karin, they argued and he strangled her, tears flowed. But not from him. He was still cool and collected. The family quietly cried. Then it was their turn. Karin's stepmother and sister addressed the judge, and the sister, Coco, spoke to Ed Owens directly. The pain and anguish of the last 29 years came flowing out. I couldn't help but think about how one man's decision all those years ago, led to years of heartache for so many, many people. All those people in the courtroom had been affected by this murder for years. But Coco said in her statement in court, and again to us reporters later, that now was the time to "let it all go, for Karin." To let go of the ugliness and start the healing.
