Teen Is Handed 40 Years In Her Parents' Slaying

WALLA WALLA - A Walla Walla teenager convicted in the murders of her adoptive parents was sentenced yesterday to 40 years in prison.

Walla Walla County Superior Court Judge Robert Zagelow sentenced Starr Lake to consecutive 20-year terms. Lake, 16, was convicted in March of two counts of second-degree murder for orchestrating the slayings of Lester and Velma Lake.

Prosecutors had sought a sentence of more than 37 years. Zagelow went beyond that, saying the girl was significantly more culpable than her former boyfriend, who admitted pulling the trigger.

Lake said she was asleep in a downstairs bedroom when Lester Lake, 66, and Velma Lake, 64 - her natural grandparents who also adopted her - were shot to death in their bed July 24, 1997.

Her former boyfriend, 17-year-old Michael Jansen, has pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison.

Prosecutors contended she used sexual favors to manipulate Jansen into killing the Lakes so she could to be free from their control and inherit their estate.