IT’S ABOUT SHE’S ABOUT TO PROCEED WITH HER SENTENCING. SO LET’S LISTEN. YOU HAVE CAUSED CANNOT BE OVERSTATED. YOU TOOK A HUMAN LIFE, AND YOU DID SO. IN THE MOST CALLOUS AND HEARTLESS OF WAYS. YOU ROBBED A FIVE YEAR OLD GIRL YOUR OWN DAUGHTER OF THE LIFE THAT SHE WAS TO LEAD YOU STOLE FROM YOUR SONS A SISTER. YOU TOOK A DAUGHTER FROM HER MOTHER. YOU WERE CONVICTED OF RECKLESS SECOND DEGREE MURDER, RECKLESS IN THIS CONTEXT DOES NOT MEAN SOMETHING THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT. IT IS DEFINED UNDER LAW AS SOMETHING THAT MANIFESTS THE EXTREME INDIFFERENCE TO A HUMAN LIFE. YOUR EXTREME INDIFFERENCE TO THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE IS. SEEN IN SO MANY OF YOUR ACTIONS. IN THIS CASE, IN 2019, YOU BEAT HARMONY, IN THE WORDS OF YOUR UNCLE, HER FILE, HER EYE WAS FULLY BLACK AND BLUE, LIKE A RACCOON EYE, IS WHAT HE SAID. YOUR WORDS, WHEN ASKED WERE QUOTE, I BASHED HER AROUND THE EFFING HOUSE AND THEN YOU HID HER FROM THE VIEW OF OTHERS AND YOU KEPT HER FROM THOSE THAT CAME TO HELP HER ON THE DATE THAT YOU MURDERED HER. YOU DIDN’T HIT HER ONCE. YOU PUNCHED HER IN THE HEAD REPEATEDLY. YOU BEAT HER IN THE CAR WHILE AT STOPLIGHTS. MORE THAN ONE TIME, YOU KNEW THAT SHE WAS SEVERELY INJURED, YET YOU COVERED HER WITH A BLANKET AND DIDN’T CHECK ON HER UNTIL AFTER YOU TOOK HER LIFELESS BODY FROM THE CAR AND THEN AFTER HER DEATH, YOU TREATED HER BODY LIKE IT WAS TRASH. WORSE THAN TRASH YOU DID. UNIMAGINABLE THINGS TO HER BODY AND ALL IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE YOURSELF FROM BEING DISCOVERED AS HER MURDERER AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, YOU THREATENED, ABUSED, AND BEAT YOUR WIFE TO KEEP HER SILENT. YOUR CRIMINAL HISTORY SIMILARLY REFLECTS YOUR INDIFFERENCE TO THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE, YOUR ACTIONS HAVING TAKEN BOTH A PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL TOLL ON SO MANY. IN 2008, YOU WERE CONVICTED OF CRIMINAL THREATENING AFTER POINTING A KNIFE AT A 15 YEAR OLD GIRL. IN 2010, YOU WERE CONVICTED OF ARMED ROBBERY AND ASSAULT AND BATTERY WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON IN A HOME INVASION INCIDENT IN WHICH IT WAS REPORTED THAT YOU HELD UP A WOMAN AT GUNPOINT, TERRORIZING HER TO THE POINT THAT SHE LOST CONTROL OF HER BODILY FUNCTIONS. IN 2009, YOU WERE CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT FOR STABBING ANOTHER PERSON. IN 2014, YOU WERE CONVICTED OF ASSAULT AND BATTERY WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON AND LARCENY IN A CASE IN WHICH IT WAS REPORTED THAT YOU SHOT A MAN IN THE FACE IN 2019, YOU WERE CONVICTED OF TWO COUNTS OF ARMED CAREER CRIMINAL, TWO COUNTS OF THEFT, AND TWO COUNTS OF RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, ALL OF THE CHARGES STEMMING FROM THE THEFTS OF FIREARMS, GUNS, EXCHANGES OF GUNS FOR DRUGS AND MONEY. THE COURT HAS TO CONSIDER THREE PRIMARY GOALS OF SENTENCING PUNISHMENT, DETERRENCE AND REHABILITATION. GIVEN THE FOCUS TODAY IS ON YOUR CONVICTIONS IN THIS CASE, SECOND DEGREE MURDER, FALSIFYING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, WITNESS TAMPERING, ABUSE OF A CORPSE AND SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT. BUT THE PRIOR CONVICTIONS ARE IMPORTANT AND THEY’RE IMPORTANT AS WELL AS EACH OF THEM REFLECTS NOT JUST YOUR EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL CONDUCT, BUT EACH OF THEM REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY AFTER SENTENCING FOR YOU TO HAVE CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF YOUR LIFE TO CHANGE HOW YOU WERE TREATING OTHER PEOPLE. BUT YOU WERE EITHER UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO DO SO, AND AS A RESULT, AT THIS POINT, THE COURT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE THAT NOT ONLY PUNISHES YOU HARSHLY FOR THE CRIMES THAT YOU HAVE COMMITTED, BUT CONSIDERS DETERRENCE. THAT IS HOW TO KEEP YOU FROM HURTING OTHERS IN LIGHT OF THE EGREGIOUS NATURE OF THE CRIMES OF WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED IN THIS CASE, AND TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION YOUR EXTREMELY VIOLENT CRIMINAL HISTORY, THE COURT FINDS THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS IS TO KEEP YOU OFF THE STREETS TO THE EXTENT, TO THE EXTENT YOU SEEK TO REHABILITATE YOURSELF, YOU THAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN BEHIND THE PRISON WALLS. HARMONY WAS AN INNOCENT FIVE YEAR OLD GIRL. YOU TREATED HER IN THE WORST OF POSSIBLE WAYS IN BOTH HER LIFE AND IN HER DEATH. THEREFORE, THE COURT SENTENCES YOU AS FOLLOWS ON CHARGE ID 2027112. SEE THE CHARGE OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER. YOU ARE SENTENCED TO THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON FOR NOT MORE THAN LIFE, NOR LESS THAN 45 YEARS. THAT SENTENCE IS STAND COMMITTED THAT SENTENCE IS CONSECUTIVE. ALL OF THESE SENTENCES, I SHOULD SAY. NOW, ARE CONSECUTIVE TO EACH OTHER AS WELL AS CONSECUTIVE TO DOCKET 2116 2022 CR 577, WHICH ARE THE THE SENTENCES THAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY SERVING? ADDITIONALLY, UH, YOU’RE TO PARTICIPATE MEANINGFULLY AND MEANINGFULLY AND COMPLETE ANY COUNSELING TREATMENT, OR EDUCATION PROGRAMS AS DIRECTED BY THE CORRECTIONAL AUTHORITY OR PROBATION. PAROLE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES MAY RETURN EVIDENCE TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNER. YOU ARE ORDERED TO BE OF GOOD CONDUCT AND COMPLY WITH ALL THE TERMS OF THIS SENTENCE. THIS IS ALSO CONSECUTIVE TO THE SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT CHARGE IN THE DOCKET ENDING IN TWO ZERO. UH, THAT IS CHARGE ID. 1937947. SEE? DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT SENTENCE? NO. ON CHARGE ID 2027113. SEE FALSIFIED PHYSICAL EVIDENCE ON THIS CHARGE. YOU ARE SENTENCED TO NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON FOR NOT MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS, NOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS. THE SENTENCE IS STAND COMMITTED CONSECUTIVE TO ALL OF THE OTHER CHARGES THAT I’M ABOUT TO READ YOU, AS WELL AS CONSECUTIVE TO THE SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT CHARGE AND THE DOCKET ENDING IN TWO ZERO. AND THE SENTENCES THAT YOU ARE PRESENTLY SERVING, UH, YOU DO HAVE THE OBLIGATION, UH, AS WITH THE OTHER SENTENCES, TO MEANINGFULLY PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMING AS DIRECTED, AS DIRECTED BY THE CORRECTIONAL AUTHORITY OR PROBATION. PAROLE. YOUR ORDER TO BE OF GOOD CONDUCT AND COMPLY WITH ALL THE TERMS OF THAT SENTENCE ON THE CHARGE OF TAMPERING WITH WITNESSES AND INFORMATION AND INFORMING. THUS, YOU ARE SENTENCED TO THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON FOR NOT MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS, NOR LESS THAN THREE AND A HALF YEARS. AGAIN, THESE SENTENCES ARE OR. THIS SENTENCE IS CONSECUTIVE TO THE ADDITIONAL SENTENCE IS, UH, THAT I’VE READ TO YOU AND THAT I’M READING TO YOU IN THIS CASE AS WELL AS DOCKET ANYON TWO ZERO AND THE SENTENCES THAT YOU ARE PRESENTLY SERVING, UH, YOU HAVE THE SAME OBLIGATION FOR, UM, FOR PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT MAY RETURN EVIDENCE TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNER. ON THE ABUSE OF CORPSE CHARGE ON THIS CHARGE YOUR SENTENCE TO THE MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 12 MONTHS AT THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION. ALL OF THIS SENTENCE IS SUSPENDED FOR 25 YEARS. IF IT WERE TO BE IMPOSED, IT WOULD BE CONSECUTIVE TO THE SENTENCE SENTENCES THAT I READ TO YOU. AND ON THIS CHARGE, YOU WILL ALSO HAVE THE PROVISION OF A NO CONTACT ORDER. AND THAT IS NO CONTACT WITH THE SORRY FAMILY, THE MILLER FAMILY AND THE RAFFERTY FAMILY. THAT SENTENCE IS ALSO CONSECUTIVE. WERE IT TO BE IMPOSED TO ALL OF THE OTHER SENTENCES IN THIS CASE, AND THE SENTENCE YOU’RE CURRENTLY SERVING ON THE SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT CHARGE CHARGE. ID 1937947. SEE YOU ARE SENTENCED TO NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON FOR NOT MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS, NOR LESS THAN FOUR YEARS. THESE SENTENCES. THIS SENTENCE IS CONSECUTIVE TO ALL THE SENTENCES IN DOCKET 216 2022 CR 2372. THIS IS CHARGE ID 1937947. SEE, UH, ON THIS CHARGE YOU HAVE THE ADDITIONAL UH UH REQUIREMENT THAT AS YOU HAVE IN THE OTHER CASES, TO MEANINGFULLY PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMING, UH, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES MAY RETURN EVIDENCE TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNER. AND YOUR OBLIGATED TO BE OF GOOD BEHAVIOR AND COMPLY WITH ALL THE TERMS OF THE SENTENCE. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION ABOUT THOSE SENTENCES? NO, I DO NOT. ALL RIGHT, BEFORE YOU GO, COUNSEL APPROACH, PLEASE. AND YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO JUDGE AMY MESSER ISSUE HER SENTENCE NOW FOR CONVICTED KILLER ADAM MONTGOMERY. ALL OF THIS TO BE SERVED AT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON ON THE CHARGE OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER IN THE DEATH OF HARMONY MONTGOMERY. 45 YEARS ON THE CHARGE OF SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT, 4 TO 8 YEARS FOR. FALSIFYING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, SEVEN YEARS WITNESS TAMPERING, SEVEN YEARS IN STEVE ON THE CHARGE OF ABUSE OF CORPSE, 12 MONTHS SUSPENDED. ALL OF THESE TO RUN CONSECUTIVE FOR THOSE IN THESE MATTERS. THE CLERK WILL NOW ADDRESS YOU REGARDING SENTENCE REVIEW. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR REVIEW OF THE STATE PRISON SENTENCE IMPOSED ON YOU ON MAY 9TH, 2020 FOR THE APPLICATION. MAY BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE SENTENCE, BUT NOT THEREAFTER, EXCEPT FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN. IF YOU FILE SUCH AN APPLICATION, YOUR SENTENCE WILL WILL BE REVIEWED BY A BOARD OF THREE MEMBERS WHO WILL BE EITHER JUDICIAL REFEREES AND OR SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES. REVIEW OF THE SENTENCE MAY RESULT IN A DECREASE OR INCREASE OF THE MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM TERM WITHIN THE LIMITS FIXED BY LAW, OR THERE MAY BE NO CHANGE IN THE SENTENCE. A FORM FOR MAKING APPLICATION IF YOU WISH TO DO SO, IS SET FORTH BELOW. MR. MONTGOMERY. THIS APPLIES FOR BOTH CASES TO ONE SIX, 20, 22 CR 20 AND 216 2022 CR 2372. I’LL LEAVE THOSE WITH YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. DO YOU WANT TO SIGN IN NOW? YEAH. SIGN THAT. ANYTHING FURTHER FOR T
Adam Montgomery sentenced to up to life in prison for murder of daughter, Harmony
A New Hampshire man has been sentenced to up to life in prison for murdering his 5-year-old daughter in 2019.Adam Montgomery, 34, was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison Thursday for murdering Harmony Montgomery. Judge Amy Messer said the sentence, as well as other sentences handed down Thursday, would be served consecutively to the decades-long sentences he’s already serving for other weapons charges.>> View videos from the murder sentencing hearing: Prosecutor offers to request reduced sentence for Montgomery if he reveals where Harmony’s body is Defense attorney says Adam Montgomery maintains his innocenceJudge imposes sentenceReactions after sentencing: Crystal Sorey | Fathers of Harmony’s half-brother | Prosecution and police chief>> View victim-impact statements:Crystal Sorey, Harmony’s motherBrittany Sorey, Harmony’s auntStatement from Kayla MontgomeryFathers of Jamison Miller, Harmony’s half-brotherMichelle Raftery, Harmony’s foster mother “The court has the responsibility to impose a sentence that not only punishes you harshly for the crimes that you have committed, but considers deterrence, that is, how to keep you from hurting others,” Judge Amy Messer said. “In light of the egregious nature of the crimes of which you have been convicted in this case, and taking into consideration your extremely violent criminal history, the court finds the only way to do this is to keep you off the streets.”The sentences all but guarantee that Adam Montgomery will spend the rest of his life in prison. He is serving two consecutive prison sentences of 15 to 30 years in prison on unrelated weapons charges, and the new sentences will be served consecutive to those.In February, Adam Montgomery was found guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree assault, falsifying physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and tampering with a witness and informants in the death of his daughter Harmony.Messer sentenced Adam Montgomery to three-and-a-half to seven years in prison on the falsifying evidence and tampering with a witness charges and four to eight years in prison on the assault charge, all of which will be served consecutively to the other charges. A sentence of 12 months in jail on the abuse of a corpse charge was suspended, though it also includes an order that he not contact the families of Harmony’s mother, her foster parents and the adoptive family of her brother.View live, time-stamped updates about Thursday’s sentencing hearing below:3:03 p.m.New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella has released a statement about the sentencing:”Justice has been served and Harmony Montgomery’s memory and legacy remain our focus. Today’s sentence demonstrates that our legal system takes heinous crimes seriously and holds perpetrators accountable for their actions. The murder of an innocent child leaves a lasting scar on New Hampshire and our hearts go out to Harmony’s family and all those who knew and loved her. I want to thank our dedicated trial team and all of our law enforcement partners for their work on this case, especially the dedicated law enforcement professionals with the Manchester Police Department. Their tireless efforts led to the justice Harmony received in the sentence handed down today. While no sentence can bring back the life that was taken, we will honor Harmony’s memory by working to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect New Hampshire’s children and bring any person that would harm a child to justice.”2:57 p.m.Judge Amy Messer has sentenced Adam Montgomery to a sentence of 45 years to life in prison for the murder of Harmony Montgomery.2:28 p.m.More from Caroline Smith:”Adam Montgomery did not kill his daughter, but when he discovered his daughter’s death, he broke, and he did inexplicable things. Even he can’t explain his actions. But eventually he puled it together, and he was able to say goodbye to his daughter, and that’s what he did.”2:17 p.m.Defense attorney Caroline Smith says Adam Montgomery maintains his innocence.2:15 p.m.Defense is now addressing the court. Adam Montgomery’s attorney, Caroline Smith, has accused the state of pulling a stunt when offering to reduce Adam Montgomery’s sentence if he said where Harmony’s remains are. She says the state was trying to get a reaction out of him.2:13 p.m.Defense attorney Caroline Smith: “The state was doing a stunt. They were seeking a reaction today from Adam Montgomery in the courtroom by their stunt.””Mr. Montgomery does not have to express remorse here for something for which he maintains his innocence.”2:07 p.m.Throughout these victim impact statements, Adam Montgomery has been looking forward or looking down.2:04 p.m.Harmony Montgomery’s foster mother is now giving a victim impact statement. She says Harmony was a friend to everyone. She loved going to church and school. She especially loved Minnie Mouse and playing outside. They’ve asked the judge to impose the fullest sentence.2:03 p.m.From Ross Ketschke: We just spoke with Crystal Sorey, Harmony’s birth mother, after she gave her victim impact statement to the judge. She called Adam Montgomery “the monster who killed my baby”2 p.m.Describing what Jameson said, father Johnathon Bobbitt-Miller said: “I’m really sad she’s an angel. I miss her. She was my best friend.””I hope she’s eating M&Ms in heaven. I hope her glasses are safe and not broken. I miss her.”1:57 p.m.From Tim Callery: We’re now hearing from the parents who adopted Harmony Montgomery’s brother, Jamison. They say their son is a victim of Adam’s actions. They add Jamison has had a difficult time dealing with his sister’s death.1:56 p.m.Blair Miller, one of Harmony’s half-brother Jameson’s dads: Just a few weeks ago, his teacher asked him to draw a picture of his family. He drew his two dogs, his two brothers, his two dads and he drew a heart above all of us. In that heart, he wrote the letter H. He said that was Harmony, looking down on us.1:49 p.m.The state’s victim advocate is now reading a statement written by Adam Montgomery’s estranged wife, Kayla. Kayla writes that this is a goodbye letter to Adam Montgomery.In her statement, Kayla Montgomery details alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of Adam. She says he’s not the man she married.1:48 p.m.Crystal and Brittany Sorey leave the room as the victim advocate begins reading Kayla Montgomery’s statement.1:46 p.m.Brittany Sorey, the aunt of Harmony Montgomery, is delivering her victim-impact statement.”You are a selfish, evil, conniving, poor excuse for a human being.””If you’re any type of man at all Adam or you loved her for just a second, you would tell us where she is.”1:42 p.m.Crystal Sorey is delivering a victim-impact statement. “She wasn’t a coward like you, and I’ll be forever grateful for that. You’re a coward that has to be in control of everything and everyone around you.””She had a life worth living, unlike your own. And it bothered you to your core that she was nothing like you and everything like me.”1:38 p.m.From Tim Callery:Prosecutors are asking for 56 years to life. Senior Assistant AG Ben Agati just told the judge the state would request to reduce that sentence to 35-to-life if Adam Montgomery says where he put Harmony Montgomery’s remains. State awaited a response from Adam Montgomery, but he did not respond.1:38 p.m.In a dramatic moment, Senior Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati says that if Adam Montgomery were to say right now in court where he disposed of Harmony’s remains such that police could find her within seven days, the state would recommend a lower sentence of 35 years to life, with the sentences on the other charges being served concurrently, rather than consecutively.There was a long silent pause when Adam Montgomery said nothing.”Since that offer has been rejected, your honor, that is yet another reason why the minimum should not apply,” Agati said.1:24 p.m.Adam Montgomery has walked into the courtroom. 1:09 p.m.Attorneys are walking in now. 1:06 p.m.From Tim Callery:The public is seated. Crystal Sorey and other family members are in the gallery as well. At the moment, there is no judge, attorneys or Adam Montgomery in the courtroom. 12:23 p.m.From Ross Ketschke:Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg shares a hug with Crystal Sorey, Harmony’s birth mother, outside the courthouse. NoonLegal analyst Patricia LaFrance says victim-impact statements will be an important part of the sentencing, and she noted that since Harmony can’t speak for herself, others will have to. LaFrance also said there may be opportunities for Adam Montgomery to reach a plea deal if he offers information on where he disposed of Harmony’s remains. Adam Montgomery is facing two additional trials, so a deal could be worked out related to those.10:39 a.m.News 9 Investigates has learned that Adam Montgomery has arrived at the courthouse ahead of the sentencing hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Until now, it was unclear whether he would show up for the hearing after he declined to appear for most of his murder trial. A judge later ordered him to appear for the sentencing hearing.7:45 a.m. Adam Montgomery has already been sentenced to decades in prison in a separate case involving stolen weapons and being an armed career criminal.>> Review the Harmony Montgomery case timelineNow, state prosecutors are requesting that Adam Montgomery be sentenced to 56 years to life for murdering his daughter.Montgomery’s attorneys, meanwhile, have yet to file their sentencing recommendations.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play < MANCHESTER, N.H. — A New Hampshire man has been sentenced to up to life in prison for murdering his 5-year-old daughter in 2019. Adam Montgomery, 34, was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison Thursday for murdering Harmony Montgomery. Judge Amy Messer said the sentence, as well as other sentences handed down Thursday, would be served consecutively to the decades-long sentences he’s already serving for other weapons charges. >> View videos from the murder sentencing hearing: >> View victim-impact statements: “The court has the responsibility to impose a sentence that not only punishes you harshly for the crimes that you have committed, but considers deterrence, that is, how to keep you from hurting others,” Judge Amy Messer said. “In light of the egregious nature of the crimes of which you have been convicted in this case, and taking into consideration your extremely violent criminal history, the court finds the only way to do this is to keep you off the streets.” The sentences all but guarantee that Adam Montgomery will spend the rest of his life in prison. He is serving two consecutive prison sentences of 15 to 30 years in prison on unrelated weapons charges, and the new sentences will be served consecutive to those. In February, Adam Montgomery was found guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree assault, falsifying physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and tampering with a witness and informants in the death of his daughter Harmony. Messer sentenced Adam Montgomery to three-and-a-half to seven years in prison on the falsifying evidence and tampering with a witness charges and four to eight years in prison on the assault charge, all of which will be served consecutively to the other charges. A sentence of 12 months in jail on the abuse of a corpse charge was suspended, though it also includes an order that he not contact the families of Harmony’s mother, her foster parents and the adoptive family of her brother. View live, time-stamped updates about Thursday’s sentencing hearing below: New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella has released a statement about the sentencing: “Justice has been served and Harmony Montgomery’s memory and legacy remain our focus. Today’s sentence demonstrates that our legal system takes heinous crimes seriously and holds perpetrators accountable for their actions. The murder of an innocent child leaves a lasting scar on New Hampshire and our hearts go out to Harmony’s family and all those who knew and loved her. I want to thank our dedicated trial team and all of our law enforcement partners for their work on this case, especially the dedicated law enforcement professionals with the Manchester Police Department. Their tireless efforts led to the justice Harmony received in the sentence handed down today. While no sentence can bring back the life that was taken, we will honor Harmony’s memory by working to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect New Hampshire’s children and bring any person that would harm a child to justice.” Judge Amy Messer has sentenced Adam Montgomery to a sentence of 45 years to life in prison for the murder of Harmony Montgomery. More from Caroline Smith: “Adam Montgomery did not kill his daughter, but when he discovered his daughter’s death, he broke, and he did inexplicable things. Even he can’t explain his actions. But eventually he puled it together, and he was able to say goodbye to his daughter, and that’s what he did.” Defense attorney Caroline Smith says Adam Montgomery maintains his innocence. Defense is now addressing the court. Adam Montgomery’s attorney, Caroline Smith, has accused the state of pulling a stunt when offering to reduce Adam Montgomery’s sentence if he said where Harmony’s remains are. She says the state was trying to get a reaction out of him. Defense attorney Caroline Smith: “The state was doing a stunt. They were seeking a reaction today from Adam Montgomery in the courtroom by their stunt.” “Mr. Montgomery does not have to express remorse here for something for which he maintains his innocence.” Throughout these victim impact statements, Adam Montgomery has been looking forward or looking down. Harmony Montgomery’s foster mother is now giving a victim impact statement. She says Harmony was a friend to everyone. She loved going to church and school. She especially loved Minnie Mouse and playing outside. They’ve asked the judge to impose the fullest sentence. From Ross Ketschke: We just spoke with Crystal Sorey, Harmony’s birth mother, after she gave her victim impact statement to the judge. She called Adam Montgomery “the monster who killed my baby” This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. We just spoke with Crystal Sorey, Harmony’s birth mother, after she gave her victim impact statement to the judge. She called Adam Montgomery “the monster who killed my baby” @WMUR9 pic.twitter.com/66ay8l2AOn — Ross Ketschke WMUR (@RossWMUR) May 9, 2024 Describing what Jameson said, father Johnathon Bobbitt-Miller said: “I’m really sad she’s an angel. I miss her. She was my best friend.” “I hope she’s eating M&Ms in heaven. I hope her glasses are safe and not broken. I miss her.” From Tim Callery: We’re now hearing from the parents who adopted Harmony Montgomery’s brother, Jamison. They say their son is a victim of Adam’s actions. They add Jamison has had a difficult time dealing with his sister’s death. Blair Miller, one of Harmony’s half-brother Jameson’s dads: Just a few weeks ago, his teacher asked him to draw a picture of his family. He drew his two dogs, his two brothers, his two dads and he drew a heart above all of us. In that heart, he wrote the letter H. He said that was Harmony, looking down on us. The state’s victim advocate is now reading a statement written by Adam Montgomery’s estranged wife, Kayla. Kayla writes that this is a goodbye letter to Adam Montgomery. In her statement, Kayla Montgomery details alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of Adam. She says he’s not the man she married. Crystal and Brittany Sorey leave the room as the victim advocate begins reading Kayla Montgomery’s statement. Brittany Sorey, the aunt of Harmony Montgomery, is delivering her victim-impact statement. “You are a selfish, evil, conniving, poor excuse for a human being.” “If you’re any type of man at all Adam or you loved her for just a second, you would tell us where she is.” Crystal Sorey is delivering a victim-impact statement. “She wasn’t a coward like you, and I’ll be forever grateful for that. You’re a coward that has to be in control of everything and everyone around you.” “She had a life worth living, unlike your own. And it bothered you to your core that she was nothing like you and everything like me.” From Tim Callery: Prosecutors are asking for 56 years to life. Senior Assistant AG Ben Agati just told the judge the state would request to reduce that sentence to 35-to-life if Adam Montgomery says where he put Harmony Montgomery’s remains. State awaited a response from Adam Montgomery, but he did not respond. In a dramatic moment, Senior Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati says that if Adam Montgomery were to say right now in court where he disposed of Harmony’s remains such that police could find her within seven days, the state would recommend a lower sentence of 35 years to life, with the sentences on the other charges being served concurrently, rather than consecutively. There was a long silent pause when Adam Montgomery said nothing. “Since that offer has been rejected, your honor, that is yet another reason why the minimum should not apply,” Agati said. Adam Montgomery has walked into the courtroom. Attorneys are walking in now. From Tim Callery: The public is seated. Crystal Sorey and other family members are in the gallery as well. At the moment, there is no judge, attorneys or Adam Montgomery in the courtroom. From Ross Ketschke: Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg shares a hug with Crystal Sorey, Harmony’s birth mother, outside the courthouse. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This afternoon, Adam Montgomery will be sentenced for murdering his daughter, Harmony, in Dec. 2019. Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg shares a hug with Crystal Sorey, Harmony’s birth mother outside the courthouse. @WMUR9 pic.twitter.com/jtRnFY8sgE — Ross Ketschke WMUR (@RossWMUR) May 9, 2024 Legal analyst Patricia LaFrance says victim-impact statements will be an important part of the sentencing, and she noted that since Harmony can’t speak for herself, others will have to. LaFrance also said there may be opportunities for Adam Montgomery to reach a plea deal if he offers information on where he disposed of Harmony’s remains. Adam Montgomery is facing two additional trials, so a deal could be worked out related to those. News 9 Investigates has learned that Adam Montgomery has arrived at the courthouse ahead of the sentencing hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Until now, it was unclear whether he would show up for the hearing after he declined to appear for most of his murder trial. A judge later ordered him to appear for the sentencing hearing. Adam Montgomery has already been sentenced to decades in prison in a separate case involving stolen weapons and being an armed career criminal. >> Review the Harmony Montgomery case timeline Now, state prosecutors are requesting that Adam Montgomery be sentenced to 56 years to life for murdering his daughter. Montgomery’s attorneys, meanwhile, have yet to file their sentencing recommendations. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play << Investigators say Harmony was killed late in 2019, but her remains have never been found. Harmony’s mother, Crystal Sorey, told WMUR she would be OK if Adam Montgomery receives a reduced sentence so long as he provides information about what he did with Harmony’s body, but she’s not confident he would agree to that. “I know how sick he is. I know he’ll never give up her location, but I know I’ll never give up. So I’ll find her,” Sorey said. Adam Montgomery was not in the courtroom for his trial, but a judge has ordered him to appear for sentencing. At this point, it’s unclear if he will comply with that order. Before the sentence is handed down, the judge will hear victim-impact statements from Harmony’s loved ones, including a statement from her half-brother, who is now 7 years old. WARNING: Some descriptions used during the trial might be disturbing for some viewers. Explicit language might also be heard. Viewer discretion is advised. Review a full timeline of this story here, or scroll down for more.
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