Family members on both sides of a Thursday, Oct. 23, sentencing hearing for a Butler Township man convicted of third degree murder read nine statements telling opposing tales of the shooter’s character.

Judge Joseph Kubit sentenced Nathan Michael, 29, to 17 to 34 years in prison for the June 24, 2024, death of Joseph Derenzo, 38. A jury found Michael shot Derenzo six times, three times in Michael’s townhome on Spooner Drive and another three times in the garage.

Michael will also pay almost $25,000 in restitution to Derenzo’s family and the Victim Outreach Intervention Center.

Almost all six of the victim impact statements from Derenzo’s family members asked the maximum sentence of 40 years in prison be imposed while the three members of Michael’s family who prepared statements asked for leniency.

“Joe wasn’t the picture Nathan and his lawyer painted my son,” said Joseph Derenzo’s father, Nick Derenzo.

He told the court Michael would kill again if he was released from prison. Multiple family members accused Michael of showing no remorse for the killing and said they believed it was premeditated.

The district attorney’s office sought a first-degree murder conviction with a death sentence or life in prison, but the charge was reduced to third-degree murder with a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.

“He’s a cold-blooded murderer,” Joseph Derenzo’s brother, Dominic Derenzo, said about Michael.

He and other family members said they had experienced severe anxiety and depression following the incident and required therapy. Joseph Derenzo’s widow said their 17-year-old son had also experienced relentless insomnia and had nightmares when he could sleep.

“This is a life sentence for my family,” said Joyce Derenzo, another family member.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Zanella also recommended the maximum penalty.

Michael’s grandmother, mother and sister requested mercy in their statements and offered insight into Michael’s childhood.

“I don’t understand all this, but I know that’s not the Nathan we know,” his grandmother, Cheryl Grady, said.

Grady said Michael’s father died when Michael was 6 years old. He started working at 14 years old to help provide for his mother and sister. His mother, Ivy Michael, said her son would help with family bills and was always in his garage working on vehicles.

Michael’s mother rebuked the claims he was not showing remorse. His sister, Alexis Michael, added her brother has never shown violent tendencies and could be showing little emotion due to trauma associated with the incident and childhood events.

“Seeing how he’s portrayed just doesn’t sit right,” Alexis Michael said.

Michael’s attorney, R. Anthony Deluca, said Michael had worked and cared for other people nearly all his life and had a unique relationship with Joseph Derenzo. He said the fact that Michael called 911 while Derenzo was still breathing showed remorse.

Michael had previously testified he was acting in self-defense.

“This is not an irredeemable person,” Deluca said.