Judge sentences Lansing man to long prison term for fatal stabbing during domestic incident

Corey O'Rourke, 34, told Ingham County Circuit Judge Joyce Draganchuk he feels "deep remorse" for his actions on June 20, 2023, when he fatally stabbed Jeffrey Medina, 41, at a home on Wildwood Avenue in Lansing.

But Draganchuk called the killing "senseless" and noted a pattern of offenses by O'Rourke going back years. She sentenced him to 34 to 60 years in prison for second-degree murder.

"You were hyped up and angry and going after anyone in your immediate area before (the victim) even got there," the judge said.

O'Rourke was convicted after a jury trial in May.

The killing stemmed from a domestic dispute that spilled outside of a house in the 3600 block of Wildwood. At least part of the physical and verbal altercation was captured on video that was played during the trial.

Medina was called to the house by his cousin, O'Rourke's wife or girlfriend, to come and help her, witnesses said. After arriving at the house, an angry Medina went to the front door, banging on the door and beckoning O'Rourke to come outside.

At some point, O'Rourke retrieved a knife from the kitchen before opening the door and stabbing Medina, witnesses said. Medina fell into the house and died from a wound that punctured his liver.

The bloody knife was found inside, but O'Rourke left the scene and was arrested later. At trial, he claimed he acted in self-defense.

Sandra Green, Medina's mother, told Draganchuk his loss has caused her "unbearable pain" and "shattered everyone's heart."

"I just pray that he never, ever, ever has to feel the same pain that he inflicted on me," she said, referring to O'Rourke.

Contact Ken Palmer atkpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj.