Kusturin receives 170-year sentence for murder of Posey County couple

POSEY COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) — Austin Kusturin received the maximum sentence of 170 years for the murders of a Posey County couple.

On Thursday, several family members gave victim impact statements, honoring the legacy of Elizabeth and John Hall.

Posey County Prosecutor Thomas Clowers says sentencing was about the family, allowing them to speak.

Clowers says, “Today was about their voice being heard in the courtroom, and you know, we’re pleased with the court imposing the maximum sentence of 170 years, but there’s no amount of time that is sufficient.”

The sentencing hearing lasted for more than two hours.

Five family members spoke about the character of the couple, but the courthouse didn’t hear from Austin Kusturin himself.

Defense Attorney, Glenn Grampp says, he’s not shocked by the maximum sentence.

Grampp says, “He didn’t want to say anything, he told me he had no evidence he wanted to present. So there’s really not too much you could do with that juncture, so you ask if I’m surprised, I’m not surprised.”

Kusturin received the maximum sentence of 170 years in prison.

Clowers called Kusturin “pure evil” in his closing statement, saying he cut both of their lives short.

Further emphasizing that Kusturin took everything away from the Halls, including their safety.

Clowers says, “Anyone that is capable of doing something like this and that’s what I would expect from someone who is capable of doing something like this.”

Kusturin sat throughout the entire hearing emotionless, showing no remorse.

Clowers says the family may never know why the couple was targeted.

Unlike Kusturin, the prosecutor says the Hall’s legacy will never be forgotten.

Clowers says, “This is 170 years. This is effectively life in prison for him and he’s exactly where he needs to be.”

During the sentencing, Judge Craig Goedde told Ausin Kusturin the reason for the maximum sentence is that he’s the “worst of the worst” and he’s “never seen anything like this before.”

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