Joshua Beasley Sentenced

Joshua Beasley has been sentenced to three to five years in prison for the killing of his wife Alaina. Originally charged with manslaughter, in July of this year Beasley entered a nolo contendere plea to second degree assault. The plea bargain changed the possibility of a 20 year maximum sentence to a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Although the death was clearly unintentional, the gross violations of every accepted safety practice while handling a firearm tipped the scales.

Joshua Beasley had attended a firearms safety course prior to killing his wife, but the lessons taught there apparently did not stick. He either slept through the class or felt the rules did not apply to one such as he. Once home from a day of shooting skeet, he decided to perform a house clearing drill. He pointed a shotgun at his wife and pulled the trigger. Tragically, it was loaded.

Alaina Beasley's family issued a written statement after sentencing:

“We struggle every day to understand why Josh decided to pick up a loaded shotgun, safety off, without checking it, and point that weapon at the one he vowed to love and protect; but then to pull the trigger — we find those actions absolutely inexcusable. While we don't believe Alaina's death was premeditated, it was NOT an ‘accident.' Although we felt strongly that Josh be held accountable for his recklessness, working with the Lancaster County Attorney's Office we requested they reduce the original charge to the lowest possible felony charge. None of our actions have been in pursuit of revenge, but out of a desire for justice for Alaina.”

I have little doubt that Josh Beasley loved his wife, and that he grieves every day for her. I do not want to beat up on a man who made such an avoidable and catastrophic mistake, but it is my hope that everyone who comes in contact with his story will learn the basics of checking the condition of a firearm, learn and obey the Four Rules, and integrate firearms safety into their lives.