Darren Wold sentenced to life in prison without parole

WAUKESHA -- A Waukesha County judge sentenced Darren Wold to life in prison without parole Tuesday. Wold was found guilty in the first-degree murder in the Kimberly Smith murder-for-hire case. Wold's attorneys plan to appeal the sentence.

During the sentencing hearing Tuesday, the family of Smith got its chance to confront Wold.

"I hope you receive the maximum punishment the state of Wisconsin allows for the criminal, brutal and selfish act that brings us here," said Barb Wallace, Smith's mother.

Judge James Kieffer granted that wish sentencing Wold to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Wold initiated the murder-for-hire plot because of a child custody battle with Smith over their four-year-old son.
With the help of Jack Johnson, Justin Welch was hired to do the deed. Welch stabbed Smith to death at her Oconomowoc home while her son was there.

If Smith's family wanted or expected an apology from Wold, they were disappointed in court.

"There is nothing for me to apologize for as I didn't do anything wrong, was not involved in any way, shape or form," said Wold.

A video montage of pictures of Wold's son and his mother were shown in court. Wold refused to watch it. But he did profess his love for his son.

Meanwhile, the other two men involved in the murder-for-hire plot have already been sentenced. Johnson got life without parole. Welch will be eligible for parole after 44 years because of a plea deal.