Palleschi sentenced for killing wife
Restaurant owner chokes back tears as he admits to murder, gets 14 years in prison
A restaurant owner sentenced to prison Tuesday profusely apologized for killing his longtime wife in their Clinton Township home.
Joseph Palleschi, 55, choked back tears as he described his regret at having shot his wife, Karen, 53, in the head in the early morning hours Jan. 16 during a sentencing in Macomb County Circuit Court at which he was ordered by Judge James Maceroni to serve 14 years in prison.
“She was my best friend, my children’s mother and my wife,” he said standing at a podium in front of the judge next to his attorney Randy Rodnick. “Together, we weathered many storms. I love my wife dearly. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about her. It’s devastating. This was not a marriage on the rocks, your honor. It was just a tragedy because of a bad decision. I should never have picked up a firearm while intoxicated.
“Karen, my wife, the person I shared my life with, I would give my life to restore hers, but that is not possible. I’m sorry Karen, before the eyes of justice, our children and your family, I’m sorry for this bad decision (that) cost you your life.
“Your honor, words cannot replace the void I feel or the painful loss our sons and Karen’s family have sustained. I can only say that I’m so sorry, and that on Jan. 16, 2021, I never woke up saying, ‘I’m going to kill Karen.’ It was a tragic event that cost me my soul mate and a great woman for life.”
Palleschi was a co-owner of Villa Restaurant on Gratiot Avenue in Eastpointe.
In sentencing Palleschi, Maceroni stuck to his prior agreement with the defense to sentence him
to 12 years for second-degree murder in addition to the mandatory two years for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, in exchange for dismissal of a first-degree murder charge. First-degree murder carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison without parole.
The sentence is at the bottom of the sentencing guideline range of 12 to 20 years.
The couple was married for 39 years, Palleschi said at the hearing, and had three sons, one of whom attended the hearing, which was held in person but shown over YouTube.com as attendance beyond the one family member was prohibited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Other family members were not allowed to attend. A Macomb Daily writer/ photographer attempted to attend but was prevented by security from entering the courthouse.
Assistant Macomb Prosecutor Jurij Fedorak said family members, also including Karen Palleschi’s three siblings and aunts and uncles, agreed with the outcome of the case.
Maceroni said he harbored some concern that Palleschi did not appear to accept responsibility in his interview with a probation officer for the pre-sentence report. But he maintained his agreement for the sentence after listening to Palleschi.
Mrs. Palleschi graduated from Regina High School, worked for Mary Kay skin care products and formerly was employed by Medical Weight Loss Clinic.