In the quiet community of Evergreen, near Kalispell, Montana, the life of 18-year-old Tarisia Caron, a White/Caucasian female, was tragically cut short on May 1, 2007. Authorities discovered her body in the yard of a home, the victim of a 12-gauge shotgun wound to her head. Beside her was 19-year-old Kenton Weimer, who had turned the same weapon on himself, resulting in a serious, self-inflicted facial injury.
The investigation that followed painted a grim picture of what was described
by authorities as an apparent murder-suicide pact. Weimer, who was identified as Tarisia's boyfriend, was flown to a medical center in Seattle to be treated for his extensive injuries. As he recovered, the legal process to hold him accountable for Tarisia's death began to unfold.
In November of that year, Kenton Weimer pleaded guilty to mitigated deliberate homicide. During his sentencing in January 2008, a statement he prepared was read to the court, expressing deep sorrow and claiming he truly loved Tarisia and missed her as much as anyone. Tarisia's mother, Sherri, also had the opportunity to address Weimer in court, speaking of the devastating impact his actions had on their family and friends. She expressed her anger, noting that she had welcomed him into her home.
The court sentenced Weimer to 40 years in prison, with the stipulation that he would not be eligible for parole until he had served 20 years. He was also ordered to pay over $10,000 in restitution. However, the legal battle did not end there. Weimer later sought to have his sentence overturned, arguing that the parole restriction violated the terms of his plea agreement. The Montana Supreme Court eventually agreed, vacating the original sentence. In January 2011, Weimer was re-sentenced for the death of Tarisia Caron.
