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McCain Guilty of Murder; Sentenced to Life In Prison

Pool Photo
Adam McCain (red jumpsuit) will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of 1st Degree Murder in the death of CaLove Sackman

Adam McCain will spend the rest of his life in prison after being found guilty of 1st Degree Murder in the death of CaLove Sackman. Sackman was stabbed multiple times on February 5, 2019 in downtown Keokuk.

Chief Judge Mary Ann Brown delivered the verdict Thursday afternoon in the South Lee County Courthouse in Keokuk. Brown heard the case after McCain waived his right to a jury trial roughly four hours into jury selection.

Brown said the evidence clearly showed that McCain did not want Sackman to survive that night, adding that McCain had several opportunities to stop attacking Sackman and help her but chose not to.

McCain opted to be sentenced immediately after the verdict was read. Iowa law requires a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for someone convicted of 1st Degree Murder.

But Judge Brown delayed sentencing for about an hour so that Sackman’s family could provide a victim impact statement to the court.

KHQA-TV reported that Sackman’s mother, Traci Sackman, addressed the court.

“I have a 2-year-old who looks identical to her mom [CaLove] when her mom was that age,” said Traci Sackman. “When I look at her, I go back 25 years. Some days that’s a blessing, and somedays that’s the hardest thing I can do.”

CaLove Sackman’s sister read a letter written by Sackman’s oldest son. CaLove Sackman had four children, including one child with McCain.

“You hurt my feelings,” said Nicole Sackman-Davis as she read the letter. “And you hurt me by taking my mom away. I am so angry for you hurting me.”

McCain addressed Sackman’s family before walking out of the courtroom.

“I didn’t intend for this to happen,” said McCain. “I love CaLove very much. I wasn’t thinking. I would do anything if I could take her place. I am really sorry.”

Lee County Attorney Ross Braden told KHQA-TV that McCain’s words do not change anything.

“It was senseless and now four children are growing up without a mom,” said Braden. “Somebody lost their daughter, somebody lost their sister, and it is absolutely terrible. There is no getting that person back for these individuals, but at least he is going to prison for the rest of his life.”

McCain has 30 days to appeal the verdict.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.