LANSING, Mich. (WILS) – A Williamston man has been sentenced for torturing his wife, who later died from a drug overdose.

Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina sentenced 44-year-old Christopher Palazzolo to 40 to 80 years in prison. Prosecutors say Palazzolo abused and tortured his wife before her death in May 2021. He was arrested in September 2022 by Williamston police and the Michigan State Police fugitive team.

Meanwhile, Clinton County authorities have identified the victim of a deadly crash over the weekend. Sheriff’s officials say 24-year-old Charles Chapko III of St. Johns died after his vehicle struck a tree and caught fire along Island Road in Duplain Township.

At the State Capitol Wednesday, thousands of state workers joined local leaders for a rally calling on lawmakers to pass a long-term road funding plan. Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and Michigan Chamber President Jim Holcomb were among the speakers.

Also at the Capitol, the Michigan House approved the creation of a statewide Silver Alert system to help locate missing seniors and vulnerable adults. State police would oversee the program, modeled after the Amber Alert system.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, continuing her trade mission in Asia, announced that Japanese company JR Automation will build its global headquarters in Zeeland, outside Grand Rapids. The nearly $73 million investment is expected to create 150 jobs.

In other news, U.S. Marshals arrested a Monroe family practice doctor, William Murdock, in connection with a child exploitation sting in Florida. He will be extradited to Port St. Lucie to face charges.

On the lottery front, Michigan had winners despite no grand prize in Wednesday night’s $1.4 billion Powerball drawing. One player won $2 million and another won $1 million earlier in the week. The jackpot for Saturday’s drawing has now climbed to $1.7 billion.