Donachy gets life for woman's murder

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The man convicted of murdering a St. Marys hairdresser in 1999 will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Lawrence Early Donachy Jr., 36, St. Marys, was found guilty in October of murdering Irene Challingsworth.
Elk County Judge Richard Masson sentenced Donachy to life in prison without parole Monday for second-degree murder. Donachy was also found guilty of rape, aggravated assault and burglary. The sentences for those offenses were merged into the sentence for murder.
A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and a sexual offenders assessment was done. Donachy was not found to be a sexually violent predator.
He must pay $28,0721.25 for costs of prosecution, $3,648.55 to the Victim's Compensation program and $641.30 to Erie Insurance in restitution.
Family members made heartfelt statements about how the death of Challingsworth has affected them.
Kelly J. Bauer, St. Marys, a daughter of Challingsworth's, said Challingsworth was a mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, friend and had many people who cared deeply about her.
"Every day we ask why," Bauer said.
Bauer said she isn't able to see her mom, talk to her and watch as she plays with her grandchildren.
She said she can't believe someone could be so cruel and heartless and had hoped the trial would provide some answers to why it happened, but there were no answers.
Jean Bologna of St. Marys, Challingsworth's sister, said, "My sister was a beautiful person inside and outside" who loved life.
She said Challingsworth liked to sit in the sun, take rides, go on vacation, dance and go out to dinner. She considered her daughter and granddaughter her greatest gifts, Bologna said and had been looking forward to the birth of her grandson.
She said she hopes that every time Donachy hears his cell door close, he will hear her whispering, "This is for Irene."
Alicia Shriver of Kersey, Challingsworth's niece and goddaughter, said Challingsworth may have been just another person to Donachy, but she was so much more.
Shriver said she was five days shy of her 15th birthday when Challingsworth was killed and Donachy not only took her life, but Shriver's trust in God and so many people.
Shriver said she was supposed to stay with Challingsworth that night and is haunted by "what ifs." She wonders if he would have done the same thing to her if she had been there or if she would have been able to stop it.
She said this was the last day she would let Donachy take her joy.
Darlene Pollino of Kersey, Challingsworth's sister, said she wonders what kind of person could do this. She said her sister is in Heaven, but Donachy will never be there.
She said Challingsworth always acted like a mother to her, checking on her and making sure she was okay.
She said because of Donachy, Challingsworth's grandchildren have to grow up without her. She said he will never know what it's like to push your 80-year-old father in a wheelchair in the funeral home, crying so hard and reaching from his wheelchair to give his oldest daughter a hug while she lay in a coffin.
Challingsworth always sent out holiday cards and birthday cards to her nieces and nephews, and always included a couple of dollars. She had two sisters and three brothers who loved her dearly, Pollino said.
Challingsworth visited her mom and dad every day when she was off, and her father, who was in a nursing home always looked forward to seeing her, Pollino said.
She said Donachy has shown no remorse and must not have any heart. She said she will be there every step to make sure he never gets out of prison.
Masson said he appreciates the range of emotions from Challingsworth's family and added that it's beyond the court's power to make things whole. He said many questions will remain unanswered, but he hopes the sentence will provide some closure for the family.
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Reported by JoAnn Seltzer, staff writer. E-mail: jseltzer@thecourierexpress.com.