Sanford, Maine – A horrifying case that devastated a local family reached its conclusion this week as a 26-year-old man received a life sentence for murdering a couple in front of two of their children. The judge also imposed decades of additional prison time for attempting to kill the victims’ young son during the same attack.
Court Sentences Marcel Lagrange Jr. to Life in Prison
Marcel Lagrange Jr. appeared remotely for his sentencing hearing on Thursday, where a judge handed down a life sentence for the murders of Michael Hayter, 41, and Brittney Cockrell, 37. Lagrange pleaded guilty earlier this year to opening fire on the couple in a parking lot on June 19, 2023.
In addition to the two life sentences, the court imposed 50 extra years for the attempted murder of the couple’s then-11-year-old son, Mason, who survived the attack by ducking as bullets were fired toward him.
Prosecutors described the shooting as a calculated act of rage triggered after Lagrange became angry when a woman rejected him. They said he declared that “multiple people would die” because of the rejection, then lay in wait outside a Portland Pie restaurant for potential victims.
Children Witnessed Their Parents’ Murder
Hayter and Cockrell were sitting in their car with their two youngest children — Mason, 11, and Maddie, 7 — when Lagrange approached and began firing.
According to investigators, the attack unfolded in mere seconds. Hayter was struck in the neck at point-blank range. Cockrell fled on foot, desperately trying to escape with her children, but was pursued and shot multiple times. Officers later found her lying in the parking lot with fatal wounds.
Statements from the children, included in an affidavit reviewed by authorities, revealed the terror they experienced. Mason told police that Lagrange appeared “out of nowhere.” Maddie told investigators her mother was “running, screaming, and pointing” before she was shot.
Family Delivers Heartbreaking Testimony
During the sentencing hearing, family members read impact statements describing their grief and the trauma endured by the children.
Brittney Cockrell’s father, Jeff McKinney, read a message written by Mason, who said, “There was just enough time so Maddie and I could duck.”
The couple’s older daughter, Cadence Cockrell, who was not present during the shooting, delivered an emotional statement condemning Lagrange.
“He killed my parents. And I hope he gets the two life sentences he deserves. No parole for taking my parents, for my siblings having to watch,” she told the court.
Lagrange Expresses Remorse but Offers Explanations
Lagrange addressed the court briefly, expressing remorse and claiming his mental state had deteriorated due to stopping his medications. He said he had been drinking, using marijuana, and failing to receive needed mental-health support.
The judge, however, emphasized the brutality and impact of the crime, highlighting the lifelong trauma inflicted on the children who watched their parents die.
What Happens Next
Lagrange will serve life in prison for the murders of Cockrell and Hayter, along with an additional 50 years for attempting to kill their son. The sentences reflect the severity of the attack and the court’s determination to ensure he never returns to the community.
The surviving children continue to receive support from relatives as they rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the tragedy.
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